A 48-year-old Australind man accused of aggravated stalking has been ruled fit to plead to the charge after an an assessment from staff at Graylands Hospital.
Bunbury Magistrates Court was told on Monday the man, who will not be named, was living with an acquaintance in Australind for three months last year before being evicted in November.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Brian McCormack said the man had camped nearby for a while and had allegedly begun to observe his former residence from nearby bushland.
On November 13, the accused man allegedly told his brother he planned to kill his former housemate and was armed with a crowbar at the time.
He then attended the home in the early hours of November 14, allegedly armed with a shovel.
Police arrived before the man could attack his male victim.
He allegedly told officers he planned to strike his victim to the head with the intent of inflicting a fatal wound.
“The accused told officers he would have killed the victim if they hadn’t stopped him,” Sergeant McCormack said.
Defence lawyer Paul Chapman told the court his client was being treated for mental health issues while on remand in Hakea Prison and had improved dramatically with the help of medication.
He applied for bail on behalf of his client, noting the improvement in his mental health and a plan for him to stay with a friend in Gosnells should he be released – far away from his alleged victim.
Magistrate Evan Shackleton said the allegations were “very serious” and a report recently prepared by the North Metropolitan Health Campus noted the accused could again become overwhelmed by his situation.
He ruled he was not satisfied bail conditions could be imposed on the accused that would ensure the alleged victim was protected.
The accused man was remanded in custody and will face court again on April 10.
Andrew Elstermann
Email: andrew.elstermann@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Email: andrew.elstermann@fairfaxmedia.com.au
