Mass kill threat accused makes bail bid

A man accused of threatening to commit a "Bourke Street-style" mass killing wants mental health support and hasn't been able to access enough of it in custody, his mother says.

Stephen Macras, 33, appeared by video link in the County Court of Victoria on Tuesday to make a fresh bid for bail.

He is charged with making a false bomb threat, stalking a police officer and harassing him via email, as well as assaulting two other officers and using a sword on the day he was arrested in April.

An earlier bail attempt by Macras in July fell flat when a magistrate was unconvinced that some of his alleged threats over email - including to "kill everyone" and commit a "Bourke Street-style" mass killing - were empty.

Macras' mother Elizabeth told the court on Tuesday her son has been trying to get mental health support while behind bars but has told her it's not always easy to find.

"He's trying to get more help but he can't get it while he's in the prison," she said.

If granted bail, Ms Macras said she would drive her son to psychology appointments.

"We'd be pushing him to do it," she said.

Macras' lawyer Nelson Brown argued his client should be considered for bail as he is a vulnerable person dealing with mental health issues and diagnosed with Aspergers.

He also highlighted that the criminal trial for Macras isn't due to begin until August 2020, meaning the time he spends in custody up to then could exceed the possible sentence term. The prosecutor disagreed, noting the strength of the case.

"It's difficult to see that it's not a strong case of stalking and it's a protracted level of stalking," he told Judge Sarah Dawes.

The prosecutor also noted Macras' risk of reoffending had been deemed moderate.

"This is not the type of crime where someone has to go out to commit it. This is a keyboard crime.

"It's his default position when he's upset, to send emails to all and sundry."

Judge Dawes will make a decision on the bail application early next week.

Six people were killed and several others injured in January 2017 when a car mowed down pedestrians in Melbourne's Bourke Street Mall.

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