PERTH THUG STEVEN WELSH SENT TO CHILDREN'S CENTRE AFTER VIOLENT ATTACK ON 15-YEAR-OLD BOY
A man responsible for assaulting a juvenile has been assigned community service at a centre for children in need.Welsh, a Perth resident, was convicted of physically attacking a 15-year-old boy by punching his face multiple times in a garden close to his residence in November 2010.
His lawyer, Cliff Culley, explained that Barnardo’s could no longer accommodate Welsh due to the nature of his offense.
Welsh contended that his actions were in self-defense after the youth lunged at him on the street, but this claim was dismissed, resulting in a guilty verdict following a trial.
Separately, Welsh was involved in a police stand-off at his Perth house after telling his doctor he had homicidal thoughts involving a woman and a child.
During the confrontation on June 26, Welsh, aged 51, was targeted by officers with Tasers and was 'red-dotted' as they surrounded his property on Tweedsmuir Road after reports of troubling comments from his medical provider.
Welsh pleaded guilty to charges of threatening and abusive behavior likely to cause fear, which included making threats to kill both a woman and a child, and shouting and swearing at police while holding an axe.
The police had responded to Welsh’s medical appointment, where he expressed feelings of extreme low mood and had made threats concerning the woman and child known to him.
When questioned about his remarks, Welsh stated, 'I said what I said,' and was alarmed when he was told these threats would be reported to law enforcement.
His reaction was dismissive, with Welsh stating, 'Do whatever the f*** you want,' before leaving and prompting the doctor to call police.
Subsequently, Welsh went to a pharmacy to collect medication but was refused, leading him to complain about 'foreign doctors,' claiming incompetence.
Authorities were concerned for his well-being and the threat he posed; they visited his home first at 4 pm, found his door open, and a large axe in the hallway.
After leaving, police returned approximately 40 minutes later to recover the weapon, with the door now secured.
Welsh responded aggressively when police attempted to re-enter, shouting obscenities and warning that things would 'go wrong.' He refused to cooperate initially, but after threats with a Taser, he put down the axe and was compliant when told to do so.
Negotiators attempted to persuade him to leave the house, and when Welsh grabbed the axe again, police used Tasers to disarm him.
Post-arrest, Welsh claimed that police entered without permission and said he would have cooperated if asked properly.
His lawyer described his behavior at the medical clinic as a cry for help, noting that the woman and child mentioned were out of the country.
The axe used was for chopping wood, and Welsh has been remanded in custody since June.
The judge deferred sentencing pending further reports but expressed reservations about his release, citing concern over police actions and Welsh’s mental state.
