Sydney gunman 'a furtive fantasist'

Sydney gunman Man Monis was a self-obsessed fantasist who grew increasingly defiant as he edged closer to launching his deadly attack, an inquest has heard.

The man who took 18 people hostage at the Lindt Cafe in December was educated and erratic, secretive about his own life and public about his many grievances lawyers told the inquest investigating the circumstances of the siege.