Psychiatrist admits fears of being killed were unfounded

Something that we missed, but still worth posting about. Note that Australia has very strict gun laws, and the shrink admits he was rather paranoid. As seen in the Age

A psychiatrist caught with a loaded gun in Melbourne's busiest court complex has admitted he was wrong to accuse his former wife of plotting to have him murdered.

Dr Jerry Gelb's concession in court yesterday was greeted with relief by Sharon Guy, who described as "horrendous" the effect of the allegation that she arranged a contract hit.

Ms Guy, 38, spoke to The Age after Gelb and his wife, Kerrie, agreed to withdraw an application by police for an intervention order against her and her partner, Andrew Thwaites.

The Gelbs' lawyer, Bob Galbally, told Melbourne Magistrates Court that Jerry Gelb now realised the alleged risk to his life was "artificially created".

Mr Galbally said several criminals who were patients of Gelb were "clearly spinning him a line" that if he paid them money, the threat from Ms Guy "will go away".

Gelb was arrested on February 1 after he entered the court with a .22 calibre pistol and 49 bullets in his backpack, which he later said he carried for protection against underworld figures. He had attended court that day with his wife and the couple's bodyguard, David Schmack, for police to apply for an intervention order against Ms Guy and Mr Thwaites.

After the gun was found, police arrested Kerrie Gelb and Schmack at the couple's Armadale townhouse, which was heavily fortified with surveillance cameras and weaponry.

Kerrie Gelb, 35, and Schmack, 40, were charged and bailed. Jerry Gelb, whose practising certificate has been suspended, was bailed later on 11 charges that included possessing a firearm on court premises.

Yesterday's hearing before magistrate Dan Muling was for the return of cross-intervention orders naming Jerry and Kerrie Gelb and Ms Guy and Mr Thwaites.

Mr Galbally said his clients, who did not appear, now consented, but without admissions, to an order that they not harass, intimidate or approach Ms Guy and Mr Thwaites for the next 12 months.

Lawyer Darryl Annett said Schmack, who was not in court, agreed to a similar order.

Ms Guy and Mr Thwaites later told The Age they were pleased Jerry Gelb had conceded that they were innocent.

Ms Guy, who lost her job over the claims, said: "It was so horrendous what was happening. It was so surreal. It was extremely bizarre."

She now expected to move on and "try to repair the damage", while she hoped that Jerry Gelb would "get some help".

The Gelbs and Schmack are due to appear in court later this month.