Accused Melbourne CBD stabber Lauren Darul’s mental health declined before alleged attack: court
The man accused of a shock random stabbing made a second bid for bail after the court was told his mental health had “deteriorated” in the previous weeks.
Lauren Darul, who now uses pronouns, has been charged for allegedly stabbing 36-year-old sushi chef Wan Lai on Little Bourke Street in the Melbourne CBD on October 2.
The 32-year-old appeared in the Supreme Court of Victoria on Tuesday morning via video link from secure prison hospital Thomas Embling.
His lawyers recommended that Mr Darul be released on bail but remain in hospital until medical staff were satisfied his mental health conditions were being managed effectively.
Police allege Mr Darul ran after Ms Lai around 7.30am with a football under his left arm and a 10cm kitchen knife in his right hand.
He allegedly stabbed Ms Lai in the chest and punctured her lung before escaping. He was arrested less than 90 minutes later at the Make Room, a supported housing facility.
Mr Darul is charged with wounding with intent, wounding recklessly and criminal offenses while on bail.
Police and prosecutors opposed bail, arguing that Mr Darul posed an unacceptable risk to society.
The court was told Mr Darul was transferred to Thomas Embling Hospital on December 11 and was expected to be given a new antipsychotic medication.
Mary Patterson, case manager at the Women’s Legal and Advocacy Centre, who was called to testify, said she had been working with Mr Darul since April last year but that Darul had been in hospital between December and April.
Ms Patterson said she spoke to Mr Darul regularly but noticed a deterioration in his mental health and delusional thinking in the weeks before the alleged stabbing.
“Lauren was talking about things that weren’t real, about being king… more often than ever,” he said.
Ms Patterson said she began arranging a meeting with Mr Darul’s care team to discuss the development but this was “delayed by the realities of life” and did not take place until October 2.
Ms Patterson also gave evidence about the wide range of mental health and community support organizations prepared to intervene and work with Mr Darul if he was granted bail.
He acknowledged that these supports were voluntary, meaning Mr. Darul could not be forced to work with them, but said that before October 2, “Lauren was always willing to engage in services.”
The court was told Unity Housing, which provided accommodation at Make Room, had issued an eviction notice to Mr Darul, but Ms Patterson said there were plans to appeal this in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal if he was granted bail to ensure his accommodation support continued.
Edith Chau, consultant psychiatrist at Thomas Embling Hospital, gave evidence about the steps the hospital would take to continue treating Mr Darul if he was granted bail.
These included keeping him as an inpatient for up to six months if necessary.
The court was told Mr Darul had a history of delusional thoughts and paranoid schizophrenia.
The trial continues.
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