Man accused of threatening Echuca residents during 2024 party
Reagan Bear denies threatening to kill Echuca residents and burn their house during a New Year's Eve 2024 party.
Reagan Bear appeared in Bendigo Magistrates' Court on September 16. He is contesting charges of threatening to kill, threatening to damage property and unlawful assault from a New Year's Eve 2024 party in Echuca.
The court heard Bear became heavily intoxicated and his behaviour got worse. He allegedly puffed his chest at a resident and bumped her after being told to leave.
He then made threats while walking around the property. Residents told the court he made demands about killing them, their cat and burning the house unless they gave him his car keys.
Bear denies the charges, saying residents held his keys and would not let him leave. The court heard he has bipolar disorder and was not taking medication at the time.
A resident said it felt like being hunted; another compared his behaviour to a horror film. Bear's defence says the prosecution cannot prove the charges.
- Bendigo Magistrates' Court, September 16
- Court appearance
- Reagan Bear, 39, Melbourne resident
- Defendant's age
- New Year's Eve 2024 party, Echuca
- Event date
Why it mattersThe case shows how threats and unwanted behaviour can harm residents, and how mental health factors affect assault cases.
AustraliaThis Bendigo court case is being heard in Victoria and tests how prosecutors prove threatening behaviour during intoxicated incidents.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 6 d ago
