Man Haron Monis was charged with writing offensive letters to widows and families of fallen Aussie soldiers. Source: News Limited

I was working as a reporter for a local newspaper when I was sent out to cover an unrelated court case in the city when I came across a man, wearing chains and holding a rambling sign at a nearby street-light.

I was with a photographer and his sign and chains piqued our interest, so we went over to talk to him.

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Iranian-born self-styled Muslim cleric Man Haron Monis faced seven counts of sending offensive letters to families of Australian soldiers. He is pictured outside a Sydney court. Picture: Cameron Richardson Source: News Corp Australia

He had been in the news at the time for sending offensive letters to the families of fallen Australian soldiers fighting in Afghanistan. In one letter, he referred to a fallen Digger as “the son to a dirty pig”.

When I approached him, he was more than happy to speak to me. He had become accustomed to media. He spoke about how his letters to the soldiers had been misinterpreted and how he had been trying to help not harm when he sent them.

He spoke at a rapid pace, jumping between topics and speaking of injustices across the world. The more he rambled, the more I realised the interview was a waste of time. The photographer and I even exchanged smirks behind his back as I tried to end the interview several times but he kept talking.

Man Haron Monis appears for his sentencing over sending offensive letters to Diggers’ families at the Downing Centre in Sydney. Source: News Limited

I can’t stop thinking about that smirk. This man I smirked at not only held the people in the cafe but an entire city hostage for 17 hours. He has instilled fear not only in Australia but across the globe. He is responsible for the deaths of two people, and I smirked at him.

When I walked away I turned to my photographer and we spoke about how we couldn’t run the story and it had been a waste of time and that I felt sorry for him. He seemed lost and confused.

I remember thinking how harmless he was. With two innocent people dead as a result of his horrific actions, that is now the furthest thought from my mind.

Man Haron Monis at a Muslim protest in Lakemba earlier this year in response to the terrorism raids. Source: DailyTelegraph