A Lake Heights man nearly severed another man’s arm with a samurai sword over an $800 drug debt, warning him the ‘‘Russians’’ would take out his bloodline if the debt was not paid, a court has heard.
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Bryan David Pearson is accused of slashing the man’s arm with the sword, leaving him with a deep cut that penetrated the bone, before he chased him, waving the weapon and threatening to kill his family.
The 55-year-old, who appeared by video in Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday, had known the alleged victim for several years and had been chasing him over the unpaid drug money.
On December 23 last year, Pearson went to the man’s Berkeley home and allegedly threatened his mother, warning her that the ‘‘Russians’’ were going to kill her family.
Just hours later, the man went to Pearson’s home and told him he could ‘‘fix him up’’ with money the next day.
But Pearson still threatened the man, warning him if he didn’t pay the debt, the ‘‘Russians’’ would take out his entire bloodline, including his mother, grandfather, children, brother and sisters.
Police claim Pearson then pulled out the sword and struck the man’s arm, creating a deep cut between his elbow and shoulder.
The man immediately fled, with his arm bleeding heavily, as Pearson allegedly followed him down the street, waving the sword.
The man managed to flag down a passing car and drove off as Pearson warned: ‘‘If you tell the cops, I’ll kill your family tonight.’’
He was taken to Wollongong Hospital where doctors found the cut had severed his tricep and fractured his elbow.
After the attack, Pearson allegedly contacted the man’s mother again, telling her: ‘‘I’ve chopped [his] hand off. If the Russians don’t get their money, they will kill all your family and wipe out your bloodline.’’
Pearson was arrested on Christmas Eve and charged with wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possessing a prohibited weapon without a permit.
Opposing his bid for bail on Wednesday, Crown solicitor Anali Cabrera described the incident as ‘‘extremely violent’’, noting her concern for the safety of the alleged victim, his family and the community.
Defence solicitor Gary Leo told the court his client had a stable address, could offer a surety and was willing to report to police daily.
He said Pearson had some medical conditions, including diabetes and a slipped disc, and was having a difficult time in custody.
Magistrate Michael Stoddart refused bail and adjourned the matter to March 5.