The volunteer bail justice who released James Gargasoulas six days before he murdered six people in a violent car rampage in Melbourne's CBD has told an inquest that he was unaware of the killer's criminal history, despite police claims he was presented with a rap sheet.

Key points: Christos Pantelios told the coronial inquest his memories had been diluted by media reports

Christos Pantelios told the coronial inquest his memories had been diluted by media reports He said he was "certain" he was not given details about Gargasoulas's previous crimes

He said he was "certain" he was not given details about Gargasoulas's previous crimes He admitted noting Gargasoulas had breached bail eight times, which a lawyer for police said should have indicated he had been charged with offences in the past

It is the first time Christos Pantelios, 58, has spoken publicly about why he decided to grant bail to Gargasoulas, who was facing charges of domestic violence and erratic driving at the time of the January 14 bail hearing.

But in a statement three months after the incident, he said that the police case opposing bail was rushed and that he was not provided key information relating to Gargasoulas's criminal history.

At the coronial inquest into the Bourke Street attack, Mr Pantelios spent much of Monday morning claiming he could not remember many details of the bail hearing, including information surrounding charges.

He said he had a "mixed bag of memories" and that they "had been diluted" due to media reports on the incident.

But police lawyer Rachel Ellyard — also acting for Senior Constable Jake Semmel, an officer who was present at the bail hearing — suggested Mr Pantelios was deliberately leaving out key information.

"I'll put it to you that what you're doing is a filling in of the gaps and some of the filling isn't right," Ms Ellyard told the inquest on Monday.

Six days after he was granted bail, James Gargasoulas committed the Bourke Street massacre. ( ABC News )

She then probed Mr Pantelios on his recollection of Gargasoulas's prior history being presented during the bail hearing.

"You've reflected on this event with great anguish and you've persuaded yourself that you didn't see them," she said.

Bourke Street victims: Yosuke Kanno: 25-year-old student from Japan. He had just been to lunch with a friend when he was struck

25-year-old student from Japan. He had just been to lunch with a friend when he was struck Jessica Mudie: 22-year-old insurance consultant from Sydney who was in Melbourne for a business meeting. She was returning from lunch with colleagues.

22-year-old insurance consultant from Sydney who was in Melbourne for a business meeting. She was returning from lunch with colleagues. Matthew Poh Chuan Si: 33-year-old architect and father of an 18-month-old daughter. He had just been to lunch with his wife.

33-year-old architect and father of an 18-month-old daughter. He had just been to lunch with his wife. Bhavita Patel: 33-year-old accountant. She had been to lunch with colleagues.

33-year-old accountant. She had been to lunch with colleagues. Thalia Hakin: 10-year-old primary school student. She was on her way to a circus show with her mother and sister.

10-year-old primary school student. She was on her way to a circus show with her mother and sister. Zachary Matthew-Bryant: The 3-month-old was in a pram with his sister when he was struck.

Ms Ellyard presented a time-stamped police print-out of Gargasoulas's long rap sheet, which indicated that it had been printed by Senior Constable Semmel.

The document was also signed by the officer.

"It's simply not plausible, that this wasn't presented to you," Ms Ellyard said.

Under questioning from Ms Ellyard, Mr Pantelios denied seeing the document.

He said he did not remember going through a pile of papers and said he was sure police had not handed him a 20-page document detailing Gargasoulas's criminal history.

"I am certain they [the charges] were not put in front of me," he said.

"Seeing this person's criminal history would have certainly altered my decision making."

Ms Ellyard said that police had provided extensive information about Gargasoulas's many breaches of bail, which she said should have indicated to the bail justice that he had been charged with offences in the past.

Mr Pantelios admitted he had noted during the hearing that Gargasoulas had breached bail eight times.

The deaths of six people in the attack sparked an outpouring of grief in Melbourne. ( ABC News: Patrick Rocca )

Bail decision sparked tough reforms

In Mr Pantelios's 2017 statement, he had said the officers present at the hearing, Senior Constable Semmel and Detective Senior Constable Murray Gentner, did not familiarise him with Gargasoulas's criminal background and appeared to be jovial and friendly with him.

Mr Pantelios added that Senior Constable Gentner and Gargasoulas appeared to have an "understanding".

Both officers had strenuously denied this when giving evidence at the coronial inquest and said they gave an impassioned case to have Gargasoulas locked up.

Both said they were shocked when Gargasoulas was released and were confident he would commit more offences while out on bail.

During last week's hearings, Senior Constable Semmel admitted to incorrectly ticking six boxes in his remand application, including the section which would indicate whether Gargasoulas would endanger the community.

Victoria is the only state to use the unpaid, volunteer justices, who are not required to have any specific qualifications.

The decision to grant bail to Gargasoulas drew anger and criticism in the wake of the Bourke Street attack, prompting many to call for legislative changes to the state's bail laws.

Within days of the attack, the Victorian Government extended the operating hours of the Melbourne Magistrates' Court so professional presiding officers could hear bail applications until 9:00pm every night of the week.

The Government then announced in May that it would legislate the most "onerous bail laws in the nation" by increasing the number of offences for which there is a presumption against bail.