- Kill me, top boxer pleads
- By Anthony Dowsley
- Herald Sun
- 31/05/2006 Make a Comment
- Contributed by: admin ( 61 articles in 2006 )
FORMER world boxing champion Lester Ellis will face court today after asking police to shoot him after two suicide attempts in a week.
Ellis spent last night in a jail cell and will face Melbourne Magistrates' Court today charged with affray and other assault charges after clashes with police. Police arrested Ellis at his brother Keith's home yesterday after he was twice released from hospital after suicide attempts.
Ellis' behaviour is believed to be the result of a family breakdown and alcoholism that have left him lonely and depressed.
Police first had to use capsicum spray to try and subdue Ellis on Thursday when he allegedly produced two knives in a video store near Keilor.
He asked police to shoot him during the confrontation and was taken to Sunshine Hospital, but released the following morning.
That day he went to a friend's house and slashed his arm.
On Saturday he spent the night at his brother's house, but the following morning walked from Yarraville to St Albans to visit his father.
Soon afterwards he allegedly tried to jump in front of several cars and a train before police again used capsicum spray to subdue him. Ellis, a father of three, was chained to a stretcher at Sunshine Hospital on Sunday night, released Monday morning and arrested soon after.
A police source said officers were unhappy they had to twice use force to get Ellis under control.
The source said capsicum spray had no effect on Ellis and he had to be overpowered by seven police using batons.
His brother, Geoff, says the boxing icon has battled alcoholism and depression for a year. Living alone in a Taylors Hill house, he had been taking valium and other drugs to help him cope.
Geoff Ellis said his brother had been let down by the health network.
"I'm not happy with him walking the streets," he said. "Twice he's tried to commit suicide. Three times they've let him go saying he's all right.
"He hasn't threatened or hurt anyone. He's got plenty of pride. He just got depressed.
"He's been a fighter since he was 13. It's all he knows, but he's never hit anyone without gloves on.
"Some people can't ask for help."
Police are unhappy Ellis was left to fend for himself, jeopardising public safety.
"He was very aggressive," the police source said. "He wanted us to end it for him.
"He was trying to jump in front of passing cars.
"We got no support from the hospital and the like."
Friend and former nemesis Barry Michael said that Ellis was a "happy-go-lucky bloke".
Michael was shocked when told Ellis was spending the night in jail.
"He has my love and support. This is a huge cry for help," he said.
Keith Ellis, who trained Lester, said his brother needed help.
"I've been in his corner all his life and I hope they release him to me."
Ellis was a former world title-holder and fought in five different weight divisions. He came out of retirement in 2002 at the age of 37 to fight Anthony Mundine, but lost when the fight was stopped after three rounds.
ANYONE with personal problems can call Lifeline on 131 114; Victorian Statewide Suicide Helpline on 1300 651 251; or Mensline Australia on 1300 789 978.
Ellis spent last night in a jail cell and will face Melbourne Magistrates' Court today charged with affray and other assault charges after clashes with police. Police arrested Ellis at his brother Keith's home yesterday after he was twice released from hospital after suicide attempts.
Ellis' behaviour is believed to be the result of a family breakdown and alcoholism that have left him lonely and depressed.
Police first had to use capsicum spray to try and subdue Ellis on Thursday when he allegedly produced two knives in a video store near Keilor.
He asked police to shoot him during the confrontation and was taken to Sunshine Hospital, but released the following morning.
That day he went to a friend's house and slashed his arm.
On Saturday he spent the night at his brother's house, but the following morning walked from Yarraville to St Albans to visit his father.
Soon afterwards he allegedly tried to jump in front of several cars and a train before police again used capsicum spray to subdue him. Ellis, a father of three, was chained to a stretcher at Sunshine Hospital on Sunday night, released Monday morning and arrested soon after.
A police source said officers were unhappy they had to twice use force to get Ellis under control.
The source said capsicum spray had no effect on Ellis and he had to be overpowered by seven police using batons.
His brother, Geoff, says the boxing icon has battled alcoholism and depression for a year. Living alone in a Taylors Hill house, he had been taking valium and other drugs to help him cope.
Geoff Ellis said his brother had been let down by the health network.
"I'm not happy with him walking the streets," he said. "Twice he's tried to commit suicide. Three times they've let him go saying he's all right.
"He hasn't threatened or hurt anyone. He's got plenty of pride. He just got depressed.
"He's been a fighter since he was 13. It's all he knows, but he's never hit anyone without gloves on.
"Some people can't ask for help."
Police are unhappy Ellis was left to fend for himself, jeopardising public safety.
"He was very aggressive," the police source said. "He wanted us to end it for him.
"He was trying to jump in front of passing cars.
"We got no support from the hospital and the like."
Friend and former nemesis Barry Michael said that Ellis was a "happy-go-lucky bloke".
Michael was shocked when told Ellis was spending the night in jail.
"He has my love and support. This is a huge cry for help," he said.
Keith Ellis, who trained Lester, said his brother needed help.
"I've been in his corner all his life and I hope they release him to me."
Ellis was a former world title-holder and fought in five different weight divisions. He came out of retirement in 2002 at the age of 37 to fight Anthony Mundine, but lost when the fight was stopped after three rounds.
ANYONE with personal problems can call Lifeline on 131 114; Victorian Statewide Suicide Helpline on 1300 651 251; or Mensline Australia on 1300 789 978.
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