A man accused of brutally attacking two women in city massage parlours has been denied bail after another strange court appearance.
After attending the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court via webcam half-naked on Friday, Morrison Schrader, 32, returned on screen on Saturday, this time sporting a grey T-shirt and green cargo shorts but no socks or shoes.
He paced around the room throughout the session, mumbling to himself and making punching and pistol sign gestures.
The court heard he has a schizophrenia diagnosis.
Mr Schrader was arrested on Thursday, a week after he allegedly entered two massage parlours and punched two defenceless women in horror incidents captured on CCTV footage.
The court heard he walked into a massage parlour on Lonsdale St on July 9 about 4pm, he approached the receptionist to inquire about the price of a massage.
Before she could respond, he told her “I’m going to punch you by the way” before striking her right cheek and causing swelling immediately.
The victim ran into a room and locked the door, and Mr Schroder attempted to kick the door in before leaving.
Less than half an hour later he arrived at another massage parlour on Bourke St, where he asked a massage therapist for prices.
He then struck her right shoulder with a closed fist three times causing her to fall, then stomped on her head and spat at her, saying “how dare you”.
The court heard the two victims were reluctant to give statements to police in fear of being attacked again.
The prosecutor said Mr Schroder was an unacceptable risk of endangering the safety and welfare of others, interfering with a witness and failing to comply with bail conditions.
They said that since Mr Schroder had no fixed address and knew the addresses of the victims’ workplaces, it was too hard for police to keep track of him.
They also noted he had 21 inpatient assessment orders since 2013, and had nine previous fail to answer bail charges.
Magistrate Tim Bourke said he was completely unsuitable to be freed back into the community.
“He remains sadly as a homeless man with serious mental health issues … I’m not satisfied with these factors that he is suitable for bail,” he said.
Mr Schroder will appear before court on August 4.