NSW: Man who claimed he was a paraplegic walked into court
By Janine O'Neill, Police Reporter
SYDNEY, Aug 16 AAP - A man who claimed he was a paraplegic - and subjected to a horrifyingordeal of assault, humiliation and robbery - today walked into a Sydney court.
Steven Craig Seach, 32, bounded up the fourteen steps of Penrith Local Court in runningshoes to face charges of false representation resulting in a police investigation andobtaining benefit by deception.
On July 26 this year, Seach claimed he thought he was going to die after being robbedof his wheelchair and left dangling upside down from a Mt Druitt fence post for almosttwo hours.
Seach told police and a packed media conference that he was robbed of his bank keycard and mobile telephone by two attackers.
He spoke from a wheelchair, with a crocheted blanket draped over his legs.
The news of cruel humiliation and robbery prompted a flood of offers of donations fromacross the city, including a gift of a replacement wheelchair.
The deception charge he faced today related to dishonestly obtaining a valuable wheelchairfrom the public by donation.
Today, standing outside the court with his mother Lorna, Seach, who has not entereda plea, apologised for his behaviour.
"I'm very sorry, okay, I'm very sorry," Seach repeatedly said.
"I'm very sorry to the public, leave me alone ... I've had a hard life."
His mother said she was embarrassed by her son's behaviour but added that he was "harmless"
and had a good heart.
"I'm very embarrassed - I'll be keeping him on a dog chain from now on," she told reporters.
Seach represented himself during today's brief appearance to seek an adjournment.
He handed the local registrar a letter which he said was from his psychologist, butwas advised to give that to legal aid before his next appearance at the same court onSeptember 10.
The registrar continued Seach's conditional bail.
AAP jo/arb/jnb/was/sb
KEYWORD: WHEELCHAIR NIGHTLEAD (FILE PIX AVAILABLE)
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