"Bullet in your head": Guy Sebastian’s neighbour faces court over death threats
Phillip Hanslow, neighbour to Australian singer Guy Sebastian, faced court for the first time this morning over his alleged death threats.
Phillip arrived to a media frenzy with his wife, Carol, and her oxygen tank. He became emotional as he opened up about the state of his health in the wake of the six-year feud’s climax, and drew comparisons between his fight with the singer to the 1977 film Castle.
The feud between the neighbours reached breaking point on January 23 when Phillip allegedly confronted Guy outside their properties in Sydney’s eastern beaches. Guy was returning from a family holiday in Japan when Phillip is said to have kicked down his fence.
Phillip is said to have told the singer that “I’ll put a bullet in your head”, supposedly with a hammer in hand. However, the 66-year-old argues that his actual words were “one day someone will put a bullet in your head.”
In the days to follow the incident, Phillip was arrested and issued with an apprehended violence order. Guy was granted the order that prevented Philip from contacting him or from entering his property by Magistrate Ross Hudson.
Outside of the court, Phillip spoke of his arrest, and the manner in which law enforcement officers entered his home, claiming they “broke into the back of the house, smashed down the door, and came into the house while I was on the toilet and arrested me.
“And then took me off to Maroubra Police Station and I spent six-and-a-half hours in the lockup. All over just a heated argument with a neighbour which I think is clearly overboard.”
Phillip’s admissions to reporters didn’t stop there, with the former builder opening up about his health, and the full-time care he provides his wife.
“I’m 66 – on my way out, I suppose – my body’s worn out from years and years of working as a tradie, so it’s not easy trying to deal with what’s in front of me, but you’ve got to just move forward and do your best,” he said of his health conditions - including a herniated disk in his back, brain fog, and sciatica. “But I can’t cry about it, I’ve gotta keep moving forward.”
Phillip informed the court that he had to have his infected bowel removed, and that it would mean a three-week recovery for him. He did not enter pleas during his appearance, stating that he required legal aid but had been unable to find anyone who was available.
Under the circumstances, Magistrate Ross Hudson adjourned the matter, allowing Phillip until March 9 to find legal representation and to recover from his procedure.
Images: Getty