Halekulani: David Michael Guest granted bail over alleged sledgehammer attack

A former paramedic, who’s spent two years in custody over allegedly attacking his neighbour with a hammer, told a court he’s worried about a bail condition because he’s out of money. Read why here.

David Michael Guest, 47, of Halekulani, has pleaded not guilty to attacking his elderly neighbour with a sledgehammer. Picture: Facebook

An ex-paramedic who spent more than two years behind bars for allegedly attacking his elderly neighbour with a sledgehammer has been granted the strictest of bail.

But David Michael Guest, 47, has told a court he’s concerned about one of his bail conditions because he’s run out of money, despite being represented by one of Sydney’s highest profile lawyers.

The former paramedic appeared via video link at Gosford District Court on Monday where a judge granted him bail on the basis Guest abides by 27 strict conditions which will effectively place him under house arrest at his uncle’s residence in the Blue Mountains.

Guest has been in custody since his arrest on February 10, 2022, after allegedly breaching an apprehended violence order (AVO), and a previous bail condition, by allegedly attacking a 62-year-old neighbour with a sledgehammer.

“I’m concerned about the electronic monitoring your Honour,” Guest told the court after the conditions of his release were read out by Judge David Wilson.

PGuest will be required to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet similar to this one shown here. Picture: file

“I’ve been in custody for two and a half years, I don’t have any money.”

However, his high profile criminal lawyer Bryan Wrench told Guest he had spoken to some of his client’s “colleagues” and would talk to him further in private after the proceedings had been adjourned.

Mr Wrench is well known for representing high profile and celebrity clients. (File image)

Mr Wrench has represented some of the biggest names in Australia and his name carries such high value that he had his own copycat fraudster, who impersonated the lawyer for a fee of $500.

Guest was arrested after emergency services were called to Huene Ave, Halekulani following reports he had allegedly attacked his neighbour with a small sledgehammer, also known as a club hammer.

His neighbour was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical but stable condition.

Guest will face trial in Gosford District Court at a future date: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Guest pleaded not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent, recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm and breaching an AVO.

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

The court heard 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.

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.

In opposing bail, the Crown submitted Guest was an unacceptable risk to the victim and the community given he was undergoing mental health treatment at the time of the alleged attack.

However his new legal defence counsel, instructed by Mr Wrench, argued Guest’s mental health was deteriorating because he couldn’t access adequate mental health treatment in custody.

Judge Wilson granted strict conditional bail that he live under house arrest at his uncle’s residence at Blackheath, not enter the Central Coast, be fitted with an electronic monitoring bracelet at his own expense, abide by a new AVO and an acceptable person agree to forfeit $12,000 if he fails to attend court.

Guest is expected to face a new trial later in the year.