Thomas Morris accused of murdering father in Coffs Harbour rampage has 'mental health impairment'

Police opposed bail for a man with untreated schizophrenia and bipolar disorder just months before he allegedly murdered his dad during a Father's Day attack, court documents have revealed.

Warning: This story contains references to an Indigenous person who has died.

An unmedicated son suffering “cognitive mental health impairment” allegedly attacked his parents and murdered his father in a Father’s Day rampage at Coffs Harbour.

In documents before the court, police state that Thomas Morris, 28, suffers from ADHD, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and was not medicated.

The court files also reveal police opposed the bail of Morris in June when he breached an apprehended domestic violence order claiming he posed an “unacceptable risk” as he had a “history of violence” and “non-compliance”.

Thomas allegedly set fire to his sister 41-year old Cecily Murphy’s house on Wongala Crescent before allegedly turning on his parents aged 67 and 65, at their Raymond Street home in the early hours of September 7.

Emergency services were called to a house on Wongala Drive in Coffs Harbour, about 5.30am Sunday September 7. The 41-year-old female occupant managed to escape the flames, with emergency services treating her for minor injuries.

Both were flown to John Hunter Hospital with serious head injuries before the 67-year old man tragically died six days later on September 13.

The court documents now expose a disturbing timeline of events leading up to the Father’s Day events, including bail being granted despite earlier police opposition.

Earlier in the year on June 20, police allege Morris breached an existing AVO (domestic) at Coffs Harbour.

When he appeared at Parramatta Court the next day, a police prosecutor opposed bail, citing Morris’ “lengthy criminal history” and a prior history of breaching bail conditions.

“There is an unacceptable risk that the accused person, if released from custody will: commit a serious offence, endanger the victim, individual or the community,” the prosecutor told the court, as shown in court documents.

However, on June 21 a magistrate granted Thomas Morris bail on charges of stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm (domestic) and contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (domestic), with conditions including twice-weekly reporting, abstaining from alcohol and drugs and forfeiting $200.

Coffs Clarence Police Inspector Guy Flaherty at a press conference in relation to the alleged murder of 67-year-old Brian Anthony “Tony” Morris. Picture: Toni Moon.

On July 8, in Coffs Harbour Local Court Morris pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Less than two months later, the Morris/Hart family woke to “news that would change their lives forever” according to family friend Relle Donovan when they learned of the alleged arson and assaults.

Thomas Morris was taken into custody on September 7 and appeared in online court on September 17 charged with destroying property with intent to endanger life domestic violence and contravening an AVO.

On November 11 at Coffs Harbour Local Court he faced further charges of murder domestic violence, attempted murder and a second count of contravene an AVO.

He did not apply for bail, which was formally refused, and pleas were not entered.

Police have applied for two interim orders for forensic procedures.

He returns to court on January 13 at Coffs Harbour.

A GoFundMe fundraiser by Relle Donovan to support the Morris family has raised $19,430 of a $20,000 target.

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Originally published as Thomas Morris accused of murdering father in Coffs Harbour rampage has 'mental health impairment'