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Police said Sydney siege captives seemed 'jovial', inquest told Police said Sydney siege captives seemed 'jovial', inquest told
(4 months later)
As Man Haron Monis held people captive inside Sydney’s Lindt Cafe armed with a sawn-off shotgun and a suspected bomb, senior police described the hostages’ behaviour as appearing “jovial”, an inquest has heard.As Man Haron Monis held people captive inside Sydney’s Lindt Cafe armed with a sawn-off shotgun and a suspected bomb, senior police described the hostages’ behaviour as appearing “jovial”, an inquest has heard.
The comment was made during a briefing among senior officers some 12 hours after Monis stormed the Martin Place cafe in December 2014, the inquest in Sydney was told on Monday.The comment was made during a briefing among senior officers some 12 hours after Monis stormed the Martin Place cafe in December 2014, the inquest in Sydney was told on Monday.
Assistant commissioner Mark Jenkins took command of the siege at about 10pm on 15 December.Assistant commissioner Mark Jenkins took command of the siege at about 10pm on 15 December.
Related: Sydney siege inquest: Man Haron Monis was a 'psychopathic lone wolf terrorist'
During a handover, he was told negotiators had not yet made contact with Monis, and the gunman’s requests for a flag and meeting with the prime minister had been refused.During a handover, he was told negotiators had not yet made contact with Monis, and the gunman’s requests for a flag and meeting with the prime minister had been refused.
Jenkins said he was told death or serious injury, or an imminent threat of either, would trigger an emergency action and see police officers storm the building.Jenkins said he was told death or serious injury, or an imminent threat of either, would trigger an emergency action and see police officers storm the building.
He said a senior officer present at the meeting spoke of “hostages moving around freely” and appearing casual and jovial.He said a senior officer present at the meeting spoke of “hostages moving around freely” and appearing casual and jovial.
Jenkins said he could not recall who made the comment, but remembered taking some comfort from it.Jenkins said he could not recall who made the comment, but remembered taking some comfort from it.
“I must say it gave me a little comfort that they [were] able to move around [and] weren’t restricted,” he told the inquest.“I must say it gave me a little comfort that they [were] able to move around [and] weren’t restricted,” he told the inquest.
Counsel assisting the inquest, Jeremy Gormly SC, pressed Jenkins on using the word “jovial” during a crisis.Counsel assisting the inquest, Jeremy Gormly SC, pressed Jenkins on using the word “jovial” during a crisis.
“It’s a remarkable word in the context, isn’t it?” Gormly asked.“It’s a remarkable word in the context, isn’t it?” Gormly asked.
“It does appear to be, yes,” Jenkins replied.“It does appear to be, yes,” Jenkins replied.
That night Jenkins was also shown a profile of Monis’ criminal history, detailing arrests in connection with sexual assaults and a murder.That night Jenkins was also shown a profile of Monis’ criminal history, detailing arrests in connection with sexual assaults and a murder.
“The fact he’d been charged with those offences was of course a concern ... I just drew some little comfort from the fact he’d worked through third parties,” he said.“The fact he’d been charged with those offences was of course a concern ... I just drew some little comfort from the fact he’d worked through third parties,” he said.
Jenkins said he was confident a “contain and negotiate” strategy would bring a peaceful resolution to the siege.Jenkins said he was confident a “contain and negotiate” strategy would bring a peaceful resolution to the siege.
The inquest heard that by about 11pm, senior police learned Monis had instructed hostages to call their loved ones.The inquest heard that by about 11pm, senior police learned Monis had instructed hostages to call their loved ones.
Jenkins said this was not considered a direct threat of violence, and despite the report, senior police still considered the mood inside the cafe as “relatively calm”.Jenkins said this was not considered a direct threat of violence, and despite the report, senior police still considered the mood inside the cafe as “relatively calm”.
By 1.18am, Monis had threatened to start shooting hostages within 10 minutes if the lights in Martin Place were not turned off.By 1.18am, Monis had threatened to start shooting hostages within 10 minutes if the lights in Martin Place were not turned off.
Related: ‘Kneel down and put your hands on your head': the last minutes of the Sydney siege and Tori Johnson's life
Jenkins said the demand was considered a dramatic change in circumstances and was being actively explored.Jenkins said the demand was considered a dramatic change in circumstances and was being actively explored.
He considered the demand a positive breakthrough, the inquest heard.He considered the demand a positive breakthrough, the inquest heard.
“I was as upbeat as I had been all night that we had a request or a demand that we might be able to accede to,” Jenkins told the inquest.“I was as upbeat as I had been all night that we had a request or a demand that we might be able to accede to,” Jenkins told the inquest.
Police were forced to act when Monis fatally shot cafe manager Tori Johnson at point-blank range at 2.13am on 16 December.Police were forced to act when Monis fatally shot cafe manager Tori Johnson at point-blank range at 2.13am on 16 December.
Katrina Dawson, a barrister, was killed when she was hit by a fragment of a police bullet as they stormed inside. Monis was also killed in the emergency action.Katrina Dawson, a barrister, was killed when she was hit by a fragment of a police bullet as they stormed inside. Monis was also killed in the emergency action.
Jenkins is expected to resume giving evidence at the inquest on Tuesday.Jenkins is expected to resume giving evidence at the inquest on Tuesday.