Rostrevor man Zein Hadad to be assessed for mental incompetence over alleged Rostrevor attempted carjacking

A teenager who allegedly tried to carjack another teen - leaving him bloodied in hospital - is seeking to lessen his charges, a court has heard.

A man accused of a violent attempted carjacking and police assault is negotiating lower charges in the matter, as a court heard he may plead not guilty due to mental incompetence.

On Tuesday, Zein Hadad, 18, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court anticipating to answer the charges against him relating to a incident in June in which he allegedly assaulted a teenager and tried to take his car.

Counsel for Mr Hadad, of Rostrevor, asked Magistrate Simon Smart to adjourn the answer charge date for a second time, as negotiations continued that could see him enter pleas to lesser charges.

Zein Hadad, 18, is looking to negotiate the charges against him before entering a plea. Picture: 9News

“I can indicate that negotiations are on foot with prosecution and we put an offer to them which was that amended charges should be laid, namely an illegal use and an assault and an attempted aggravated robbery,” defence told the court.

“My friend for the DPP indicated that subject to consultation with the victim that they are prepared to amend the charges and not to proceed on the major indictable.”

Mr Hadad is yet to enter a plea to attempted commit theft using force, assaulting an emergency worker and drive, use or interfere with motor vehicle without owner consent.

The alleged victim - Ainish Varandani, also of Rostrevor - was getting out of his car outside his home after finishing work at the corner of Lindsay St and Highland Ave on June 13.

Ainish Varandani, who was allegedly the victim of the attack, will be consulted prior to a decision being made in relation to Mr Hadad’s charges. Picture: Supplied

Mr Hadad, who turned 18 days before the incident, then allegedly punched Mr Varandani multiple times and demanded his car.

Mr Varandani allegedly fought him off, before half an hour later, Mr Hadad returned to Mr Varandani’s house on Lindsay St with a knife and began yelling, leading to police being called.

Prosecution alleged when police attended Lindsay St, Mr Hadad advanced at an officer, who tasered him, but Mr Hadad continued to advance and attempted to take a police car before being tasered and capsicum-sprayed.

Counsel for Mr Hadad said her client had an upcoming assessment into his mental competence in relation to these matters and both parties were likely to see the matter resolved in the Magistrates Court.

Mental competence to stand trial and be found guilty of a criminal offence is dealt with under Section 269 of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935.

If found mentally incompetent at law, a defendant did not know the nature and quality of the conduct, could not reason about whether the conduct was wrong and was totally unable to control the conduct.

Mr Smart granted an adjournment, and remanded Mr Hadad on continuing bail to return to court in December.