Brett Shane Hayward: Katanning man cops fine and community-based order for menacing Katanning community

Staff at Katanning Hospital were forced to hit a panic button and hide for safety after a patient demanded “welfare money” and got angry when he was denied, before going on a further crime spree later that week. Brett Shane Hayward, 43, appeared in Albany Magistrates Court via video link from Albany Regional Prison on Thursday, on 11 charges relating to disorderly conduct, trespassing, assault, and pretending to possess a weapon. Police prosecutor Sgt Walker told the court that between June 13 and June 27, Hayward behaved in a disorderly manner, frightening members of the public in Katanning and Albany. In the afternoon of June 13 after being discharged from Katanning Hospital, Hayward asked the staff for welfare money. When he was told they don’t provide welfare money, he grew incensed and threw a chair across the room, forcing staff to hit a panic alarm and hide for fear of their safety. Katanning police later found Hayward swearing and screaming while tearing his shirt off in the hospital car park before arresting him. In a separate incident on June 17, Hayward entered the Woolworths on Clive Street where he had been previously banned, carrying a 10cm black blade intending to scare store staff and the community. Arrested by police for trespassing and the intention to intimidate, Hayward was placed in the back of a police car which he jumped out of shortly after. Hayward was detained and searched during which time he hurled profanity at the officers and kicked one of them. As he was being placed in a cell at the police station, Hayward continued to punch and kick police officers while swearing at them. Once in his cell, Hayward headbutted the cell wall hard enough that he had to be conveyed back to Katanning Hospital where he verbally assaulted hospital staff while restrained and under strict police watch. Hayward exhibited another display of disruptive behaviour outside of a Dog Rock pharmacy when he began verbally abusing a member of the public. Upon arrival of police and a search of Hayward, a silver blade was discovered in his pocket leading to his arrest by police. Hayward’s lawyer stated the father of three suffered from an acquired brain injury from a car accident and receives a disability pension as a result. Haywards lawyer sought fines and community-based orders or a suspended prison order. Magistrate Dianne Scaddan expressed concern about Hayward’s behaviour in public settings. “It’s the overall picture that concerns me, especially when he’s not long been out of jail and he starts offending again,” she said. “The disorderly charges are the heart and soul. “If you’re doing this in a hospital and shopping centre towards people you don’t know, then I have real concerns.” Hayward attempted to interrupt the magistrate by saying the cops were on his back as soon as he had left prison. “The police wouldn’t be on your back if you weren’t calling medical staff and police c...s,” the magistrate said. Hayward was fined a total of $1900 and a 10-month community-based order to undergo alcohol and psychological counselling.