The self-proclaimed sovereign citizen Dezi Freeman who shot dead two Victorian police officers unleashed a vile rant over the dying men, it’s been revealed at an inquest into the deaths.

Freeman, 56, fatally shot Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart and Detective Leading Senior Constable Neil Thompson during a deadly confrontation at a rural property in Victoria’s High Country on August 26 last year.

The details of the shootings were heard during a directions hearing at the Coroners Court of Victoria on Monday.

Vile rant after fatal shootings

The two officers were among a 10-person police team who arrived at Freeman’s Porepunkah property to execute a search warrant linked to allegations of child sexual abuse and the attempted production of child abuse material.

Counsel assisting the coroner, Lindsay Spence, said the warrant authorised police to arrest and interview Freeman, as well as seize electronic devices suspected of containing child abuse material.

But officers were met with hostility at the remote property, where Freeman was living with his family in a converted bus about 310km northeast of Melbourne.

Freeman — also known as Desmond Christopher Filby — was inside the bus with his wife, Amalia “Mali” Freeman, and a young child when police arrived.

The court heard he refused repeated demands to exit the bus, yelling the warrant was “illegal” and telling officers to “go to hell”.

He reportedly said: “Oh for f***’s sake what bulls***” when an officer explained why they were there.

Freeman allegedly stopped police from breaching the door, yelling: “Yes I will bloody talk to you. We’ll go from there. Stop your goons from breaking the door.”

Police handed a copy of the warrant through a window, but Freeman allegedly claimed he “knew the law” and was “appealing the search warrant to the Supreme Court”.

When Thompson, 59, attempted to climb through a perspex window above the bus door, Freeman allegedly shot him in the side of the face and neck with a shotgun.

Thompson collapsed immediately.

De Waart-Hottart, 35, who was standing nearby in the bus annex, turned to run before he was shot in the head.

The court heard Freeman then took de Waart-Hottart’s handgun and shot Thompson a second time at point-blank range in the head.

“I had no choice. I had no choice,” he said repeatedly.

“F***ing scum … you f***ing die in f***ing hell,” Freeman was recorded saying as he stood over the fallen officers.

Shortly after the first shot was fired, Mali emerged from the bus carrying a small child, walking down to a river, the inquest heard.

Freeman later fled into nearby bushland, allegedly texting his wife: “Get a mile away and keep going. See you in heaven love.”

Two other officers were also shot and injured during the deadly ambush.

Spence said Freeman was carrying both the shotgun and a police-issued handgun in his left hand as he fled from the eastern side of the bus annex.

The court heard he then fired towards three officers taking cover near a vehicle, with two officers struck and injured.

Investigators still do not know where the shotgun used in the attack came from, and the weapon has never been recovered.

Spence also revealed Freeman’s firearms licences had expired at the time of the shootings.

Freeman’s final moments revealed

After seven months on the run, Freeman was shot dead by police at a remote hideout in Thologolong on March 30.

A directions hearing into his death began on Monday afternoon.

The court heard police intelligence identified the site near Walwa, on the Victoria-NSW border, about a week before Freeman’s death.

The property allegedly contained caravans and shipping containers.

Police carried out covert surveillance over the weekend before the fatal confrontation and confirmed Freeman was at the location.

About 5.30am on March 30, officers surrounded a modified white 40-foot shipping container and attempted to negotiate with Freeman over a loudspeaker.

When they failed to get a response, gas canisters were deployed at the container, with some penetrating a glass door.

Footage captured Freeman emerging wrapped in a blanket, calling police “thugs” and “bullies”.

He allegedly claimed he had killed the two officers in self-defence.

“That is self defense … they had come to murder me and my family,” he said.

After police fired foam baton rounds, Freeman retreated into the container, yelling: “Cowards, come and get me.”

At 7.07am, officers threw a mobile phone towards Freeman in an attempt to communicate with him, but he refused to pick it up.

The court heard Freeman then appeared erratic, drinking from a bottle and saying: “Come have a beer with me and we’ll talk about it.”

Gas was later pumped into the container, eventually forcing him outside.

At 8.29am, Freeman emerged with a green bag covering his hands, which were not visible to officers.

The court heard he then lowered the bag with his left hand and raised a black handgun with his right, allegedly pointing it towards police.

Members of the Special Operations Group (SOG) at the scene said they believed the firearm had been discharged.

Eight SOG officers then opened fire, fatally shooting Freeman.

“The deceased was struck and immediately fell to the ground,” Spence told the court.

“His injuries were deemed to be fatal.“

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.

In an emergency, call 000.