A father-of-two who has faced over 100 criminal charges due to a medical condition has spoken of his decision to fight the system.
Melbourne man Matthew Strain, 46, has revealed he has been plagued with charges handed to him while he suffered seizures caused by a brain injury.
Mr Strain has spent $100,000 fighting for justice in the court systems, trying to clear his name of crimes he says he can’t even remember.
Melbourne man Matthew Strain (pictured), 46, has spent $100,000 fighting for justice in the court systems, trying to clear his name from charges obtained after he suffers an epileptic seizure
His partner Deshia described to 9NEWS the gruesome ordeal Mr Strain is subjected to, which includes his entire body tensing up, gritting his teeth and moaning in agony.
The section of his brain that is subjected to the trauma of the seizure is the frontal lobe, which affects his mood, behaviour and aggression.
Professor Mark Cook, St Vincent Hospital’s director of neurology, acknowledged Mr Strain is not in control of his actions after a epileptic fit occurs.
‘He had an injury there which caused a scar and that part of the brain is responsible for mood and behaviour, aggression, so when it’s not working properly after a seizure, we see the sorts of behaviour that Matthew suffers.’
His seizures, which occur as often as once a month, occasionally occur in public, causing worried onlookers to rush to his aid, or call the ambulance.
Professor Mark Cook, St Vincent Hospital’s director of neurology, acknowledged Mr Strain is not in control of his actions after a epileptic fit occurs
Whilst they are acting on good intentions, Mr Strain’s reaction and retaliation often leads to charges being filed against him.
‘He’s been pepper sprayed, handcuffed. I had to witness him being pepper sprayed, sitting on the ground, the concrete, being washed down with cold water,’ his wife said.
He has been charged with a slew of offences, including swearing in public, causing affray, resisting arrest, damaging public property and assaulting police officers and paramedics.
He intends to fight his latest charges.
‘I’m not a criminal,’ he said.
Despite an astonishing number of 250,000 Australians diagnosed with epilepsy, a well rounded public understanding is low.
The Epilepsy Foundation has vowed to support Mr Strain in his endeavours, and has called for more training and understanding for first responders.
He has been charged with a slew of offences, including swearing in public, causing affray, resisting arrest, damaging public property and assaulting police officers and paramedics