Paragraph one reads: "POLICE, called to a reported suicidal man, found themselves confronted by an agitated knife-wielding man demanding to be shot, a court has heard."

Second paragraph from the end reads: "Michael Brugman, for Woolcock, said his client had long term mental health issues, suffered from chronic depression and had stopped taking his medication two weeks prior to the incident."

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/04/02/60195_news.html

Norlane man wielded knife

Karen Matthews

April 2nd, 2009

POLICE, called to a reported suicidal man, found themselves confronted by an agitated knife-wielding man demanding to be shot, a court has heard.

Michael Woolcock later told police he had not been taking his medication, snapped and just wanted to be shot.

Woolcock, 49, of Rosella Ct, Norlane, pleaded guilty in Geelong Magistrates' Court yesterday to one count of assaulting police and breach of a community based order.

Police Prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Geoff Lamb said that about 10pm on September 11, last year, police were called to a report of a suicidal man at a house in Rosella Ct, Norlane.

"When they arrived they found Wooolcock in a depressed and highly emotional state," he said.

"They went inside with Woolcock and were attempting to calm him down when he pulled a 40 cm knife from down beside his chair.

"He got up, held the knife in the air threateningly and moved towards police demanding to be shot."

Sen-constable Lamb said police fearing for their safety retreated outside but returned shortly after to sort out the situation.

"Woolcock, still armed with the knife, continued demanding that police shoot him," he said.

The court heard police overpowered and disarmed Woolcock and he was later taken to Geelong Hospital where he was examined and released into the care of his partner.

Sen-Constable Lamb said that when interviewed by police six days later Woolcock said he had not been taking his medication and just snapped.

"He told police, 'I just wanted to get shot,"' the prosecutor said.

Michael Brugman, for Woolcock, said his client had long term mental health issues, suffered from chronic depression and had stopped taking his medication two weeks prior to the incident.

Magistrate Stephen Myall convicted Woolcock, placed him on a 12 month Community Based Order and directed him to continue with psychiatric counselling.