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Gunman was rejected by bikie gang

Lindt cafe gunman Man Haron Monis was in a downward spiral leading up to last year's siege, losing key court battles and likely facing a long jail term for many sexual assaults, an inquest was told yesterday.

The inquest into the deaths of cafe manager Tori Johnson, lawyer Katrina Dawson and Monis yesterday was given detailed evidence about "the perpetrator of the atrocities".

It was the opening day of a fortnight of testimony on the self-styled sheikh. NSW Coroner Michael Barnes said it was necessary to identify how Monis "was diverted down such a destructive pathway" until December, when he held 18 people at gunpoint for 17 hours in a cafe in Sydney's Martin Place.

The siege ended when he executed Mr Johnson and was killed, along with Ms Dawson, in a shoot-out with police. "Was Monis a so-called 'lone wolf' prosecuting an ISIS-inspired terrorist act, or was he a deranged individual pursuing some personal private grievance in a public manner," Mr Barnes said.

"They are the real questions we must try and answer if an explanation for the siege is to be forthcoming and strategies to avoid a repeat are to be developed."


MARTIN PLACE SIEGE INQUEST

GUNMAN'S WORK HISTORY TO BE EXAMINED
'GRANDIOSE CLAIMS'
DISTURBING PICTURES
SIEGE INQUEST RESUMES

Counsel assisting, Jeremy Gormly, said Monis' doctors, lawyers and few friends would be among the 100-plus witnesses. The inquest would also probe court decisions in 2013 and last year to grant him bail on serious charges. Mr Gormly and co-counsel Sophie Callan described Monis as "complex and secretive", obsessed with "achieving significance" but failing on all fronts.

He was not respected by the Muslim community or in Australian political spheres and had even been rejected by the Rebels bikie gang when he tried to join.

The inquest was also told Monis had been treated by several doctors, including a psychiatrist in 2010.

At the time of the siege, Monis was facing 43 sexual and indecent assault complaints from female clients of his clairvoyant business.

Monis was also yet to answer a charge of being an accessory before and after the April 2013 stabbing of his former partner Noleen Pal. His current girlfriend Amirah Droudis was charged with murder.

The inquest was also told of Monis' time in Perth in 2000, including when he claimed unfair dismissal from his job at a Persian carpet store. The WA Industrial Relations Commission found him to be a "sincere and honest man" and awarded him more than $14,000.

The inquest was told Monis learnt to use firearms during training to be a security guard.