Geraldton siege accused Trenton James Horsman yet to enter pleas after 17 court appearances

The trial of a Geraldton man accused of staging a siege in the presence of his son after a domestic violence incident is yet to be set 15 months on from the charges being laid.

Trenton James Horsman appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with unlawful assault, deprivation of liberty, threatening to kill, impeding another person’s breathing and cultivating a prohibited plant.

Magistrate Angus Hockton noted it was Horsman’s 17th appearance in court for the charges, for which he was yet to enter pleas.

Police allege Mr Horsman became verbally and physically abusive against his ex-partner between September 19 and 20, 2021.

The prosecution has alleged the woman was able to escape and call for help, with Mr Horsman accused of then refusing for several hours to allow police to enter the house and retrieve his young son.

The 40-year-old man said he was “unrepresented not by choice” as he had been unable to acquire Legal Aid and did not have money for a lawyer.

In a four-page letter read out to the court, Mr Horsman claimed he was the victim of a conspiracy by prosecutors and outlined police corruption including “destruction of evidence, tampering with evidence and discrimination on the basis of sex”.

Mr Horsman said “it would be a miscarriage of justice to proceed”, stating he had not received full disclosure from WA Police.

Mr Hockton agreed to adjourn the matter for two weeks but disagreed with Mr Horsman’s claim he had “been railroaded through the system”.

“Today is your 17th appearance, it’s hardy railroading,” Mr Hockton said.

Mr Horsman will reappear in Geraldton Magistrates Court on December 29 for a trial allocation date. His bail has been extended on the same terms.