Man charged over WA MP threats says weapon was musical instrument

Key points

• A man charged over an alleged threatening incident at Labor MP Hannah Beazley's Victoria Park office has told a Perth court the object he was carrying was a musical instrument. Police allege John Lawrence Smart, 56, was holding an improvised martial arts weapon and shouting at staff.
• Smart says the items were wooden percussion sticks he has played for years. The magistrate refused bail, noting a mental health assessment and a schizophrenia diagnosis.
• He is due back in court on October 29.