Halekulani: David Michael Guest, 47, fit to stand trial over alleged sledge hammer attack on neighbour

A former paramedic who allegedly bludgeoned his neighbour with a small sledge hammer has been found “fit to stand trial”, a court has heard.

Thumbs up if you’re fit to stand trial: David Michael Guest, 47, of Halekulani, has been cleared by a psychiatric assessment. Picture: Facebook

A former paramedic who allegedly attacked his neighbour with a small sledge hammer following an ongoing dispute will stand trial after being found mentally “fit” to do so.

David Michael Guest, of Halekulani, was not required to appear at Gosford District Court on Thursday where his lawyer said “fitness was no longer an issue”.

The court heard the 47-year-old had undergone a psychiatric assessment organised by the Crown and had been deemed fit to stand trial.

Guest’s lawyer said her client didn’t have the financial resources to organise his own psychiatric assessment but was consent to accept the Crown’s.

Guest was arrested shortly after 6.20pm February 10, 2022, after emergency services were called to Huene Ave, Halekulani, following reports of a neighbour dispute.

Emergency services were called to Guest’s street following a neighbour dispute. (File image)

The former paramedic had allegedly breached an apprehended violence order (AVO) and a previous bail condition, by allegedly attacking a 62-year-old neighbour with a small sledge hammer, also known as a mallet hammer.

The neighbour sustained serious injuries and was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical but stable condition.

Guest allegedly attacked his neighbour with a mallet hammer (similar to the one in this file picture).

Guest was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent, recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm and breaching an AVO.

The court heard police had taken out an AVO against Guest for his neighbour in the “context of an ongoing neighbourhood dispute” in November 2021.

Guest allegedly breached the AVO on January 26, 2022, was arrested for the alleged breach on February 4 and granted bail and then allegedly attacked his neighbour six days later.

The court heard Guest pleaded not guilty to the principal charge on the basis he disputed the allegation he caused the harm “intentionally”.

Guest will face court again next week to fix a new trial date. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Instead his lawyers argued he was acting under “automatism” because of his existing mental health condition.

Guest was due to face a five-day trial earlier this year but it was abandoned when he withdrew his instructions to his original defence lawyers on the first day of proceedings.

He had been remanded in custody for more than two years since his arrest but was granted bail in July on 27 strict conditions that effectively put him under house arrest at his uncle’s residence in the Blue Mountains.

On Thursday his lawyer said Guest would be seeking some variations to that bail when he next appears in court to fix a new trial date.

Guest was ordered to attend in person at the next occasion and was adjourned to October 10.