By Louis Andrews
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The man accused of throwing a cup of coffee at a $300,000 tapestry at the National Library has been refused bail.
The ACT Magistrates Court this afternoon heard Richard Michael Williams carried “grandiose persecutory ideas” and launched a “deliberate attack on a cultural icon”.
The 43-year-old indigenous man, who had been living at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, had to be restrained with a “spit-hood” because of his behaviour during his arrest, the court heard.
Williams’ lawyer argued his client suffered from significant mental health issues, had stopped taking his medication and was smoking cannabis heavily about the time of the alleged offence.
The court heard the accused man was the son of a member of the Stolen Generation, and his behaviour should be viewed through the context of an upbringing “torn apart” by a Government policy.
Williams has been charged with damaging Commonwealth property and possessing a prohibited substance, specifically cannabis.
It is alleged Williams was caught on CCTV throwing the coffee at the Myer tapestry.
Labratory staff at the library spent several hours trying to remove the stain from the donated tapestry, worth about $300,000.
It was donated to the library in December to commemorate the life of long-time library supporter Kenneth Myer
Williams lawyer said it was inappropriate for a man with his client’s mental health issues to be locked up on remand for “spilling a cup of coffee on a tapestry”.
He said there was “no chance” of his client serving a custodial sentence if convicted.
But Commonwealth prosecutor Katrina Musgrove opposed bail, arguing Williams demonstrated a “clear intent of action”.
“I actually reject the submission that it was ’spilling a cup of coffee on a tapestry’,” she said.
The prosecutor said it was in Williams’ best interests he be refused bail because of his current mental state.
The defendant appeared agitated throughout the court proceedings.