Mark John Walters bailed on charge of stabbing Mount Gambier man over $50 meth “scoop”

Police allege an unpaid drug debt prompted Mark Walter to try and kill an old high school friend by stabbing him in the guts.

A $50 meth “scoop” led to a Mount Gambier man stabbing his former high school friend and soccer teammate, a court has heard.

Mark John Walters, 46, who is charged with attempted murder and aggravated cause serious harm with intent has been granted home detention bail at Mount Gambier’s Magistrate Court.

Prosecution was opposed to all forms of bail citing the serious nature of the offending, the need to protect the victim, potential interference with the ongoing investigation and Walter’s criminal history.

A group of units on the corner Queens Av and Wehl St North in Mount Gambier. Picture: Jessica Ball

They alleged the man lent Walters $50 and after asking for the money to be returned, walked to the defendant’s Mount Gambier home on Saturday, January 2 where he was struck to the head and stomach.

The alleged victim was taken to Mount Gambier Hospital with part of his bowel protruding from a stab wound and transferred to Flinders Medical Center where he underwent surgery, the court heard.

“The victim didn’t realise that he actually been stabbed at that time, he saw blood and walked to the car park where he collapsed,” the prosecutor said.

“They had to remove a section of his bowel, since then has been released from hospital and he’s back in Mount Gambier recovering.”

Walter’s defence lawyer Dylan Walsh said the prosecution’s case was flawed and would argue he acted in self defence.

He told the court Walters was concerned for his safety, receiving threatening text messages about money owed for a “scoop” – a term for small amounts of methamphetamine – before he was attacked in his home.

The Mount Gambier courthouse.

“A text message was sent from the complainant to the defendant, asking, “When am I going to get that scoop that you owe me Walters, it’s been two and a half months’,” Mr Walsh said.

“A further message was sent “Really Walters you are a fried f***ing unit, next time I see you c**t I’m going to hit the f*** out of you.

“The defendant had his door ripped open by the complainant.

“Ultimately the defendant has reacted in a manner where he grabbed the closest possible thing on a coffee table and struck the complainant twice.”

Walsh, who attended the hospital on the day of the stabbing, said Walter’s injuries included a severe cauliflower ear and contusion to his head.

He argued for home detention at an Adelaide address with Walters’ parents who were present in court willing to act as guarantors.

Magistrate Maria Panagiotidis granted home detention bail at $2000 saying the Adelaide address and a non-contact clause would be adequate protection for the victim.

“I acknowledge that you say you have a defence but that’s your side of it,” Magistrate Panagiotidis said.

“The allegations against you are very serious and that is why I would not have considered bail were not for a suitable home detention address and your parents being prepared to act as guarantors.”

Walters will reappear at the Mount Gambier Magistrate Court in June.