Saints - and Sinners !

Last Friday Melbourne suffered a horrifying terrorist incident when a car explodes in the centre of the city and its driver emerged with a knife in his hand and started to stab members of the public.  Sadly, a prominent citizen who rushed to help in the belief that he was witnessing an accident died when that knife was thrust into his chest. Several other people were wounded.

This entire attack was captured on the city centre security camera network and the evening news carried vivid scenes of the police dodging knife thrusts until a shot was fired.  The attacker was captured, but died later in hospital.  During this scrimmage the public noted the actions of a man with a shopping trolley.  He repeatedly risked his own life by using the trolley to impede the knife wielding attacker.  He was instantly dubbed " Trolley man " and it was revealed that he was one of Melbourne's homeless.

The public response was to start a fund that attracted donations. The total quickly rose to near a hundred and fifty thousand dollars and there was hope that this reward money would deliver a better lifestyle to this public hero.  On television he was self effacing and humble.  The people of Melbourne took him to their hearts.

Then came the news that the police wanted to interview him.  It seems he was on bail and awaiting a court appearance for burglary charges. He willingly handed himself in at a police station and it was revealed that he had fallen into a life of crime and had a troubled relationship with police.  He had ongoing drug issues in his past.

This 46 year old man has had his bail extended with the condition that he must live in a nominated address and report to police  and obey a curfew from 9 pm to 6 am daily.   Those public donations have been put into a trust fund and held in abeyance until the court matters are sorted out. It is evident that the public will follow this saga with interest.

Michael Rogers is now a celebrity because of his brave actions to protect the public from a frenzied man trying to commit mass murder.   It would be a shame if that reward money was withheld and put  to another purpose now that it has been revealed that the man dubbed to be a saint is also a sinner. At forty-six this man is capable of being reintegrated into the workforce and achieving the new life those who donated money intended.

No doubt the magistrate will take his actions in the Melbourne attack into account when deciding this burglary charge.   It would be surprising if one of the charities did not step up and take care of his problem with lack of accommodation and industry would gain kudos by offering a job consistent with his skill ability.  It was clearly the intent of the public to offer a chance of a new life to a homeless man who had earned their gratitude.

Now it is up to Michael Rogers.  He has become a news item and his experience in facing court and what follows will be enticing to the media.  The people who donated money will watch with interest to see whether this opportunity leads to a more uplifting life, or if he slowly sinks back into obscurity. That will rest in his own hands !