Man accused over threat at WA minister's office faces court, where magistrate says he may have held drumsticks

John Lawrence Smart, 56, has been charged but not convicted. He will stay in custody for a medical check and is due back in court next Thursday.

Confirmed

A man accused over a scary incident at the office of a Western Australia (WA) minister has faced court. John Lawrence Smart, 56, appeared in court in Perth on Thursday, Australian Associated Press (AAP) reported. The incident happened at the office of WA Labor minister Hannah Beazley. In court, Magistrate Heidi Watson suggested to the prosecutor that Mr Smart might have been holding drumsticks. Police have charged him with being armed or pretending to be armed in a way that may cause fear. He is also charged with making an unlawful threat and having cannabis, AAP reported. He has been charged but not convicted. He was not asked to enter a plea. The magistrate ordered that he stay in custody for a medical assessment. He is due back in the same court on Thursday 29 October. Premier Roger Cook said leaders needed to calm things down. "We have got to start to turn the temperature down," he said. He also said he would support giving MPs money to make their homes safer. The court case will continue next week.