Halekulani: Ex-paramedic David Michael Guest applied for bail over alleged sledge hammer attack
A former paramedic, who has been remanded in custody for two years after being charged with allegedly attacking a neighbour with a sledge hammer, is mentally “worse now”, a court heard.
Central Coast
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A former paramedic charged with intentionally attacking a neighbour with a small sledge hammer has applied for bail with his lawyers telling the court the 47-year-old was not getting the mental health treatment he needed.
David Michael Guest, of Halekulani, faced Gosford District Court on Thursday where his barrister said his client was undergoing psychological treatment before he allegedly attacked a neighbour with a small sledge hammer but was not getting adequate treatment in custody.
Mr Guest has pleaded not guilty to attacking his neighbour with a club hammer, with the court hearing the case hinged on whether he intentionally caused grievous bodily harm during the incident or whether he was acting under “automatism” because of his mental health.
Emergency services were called to Huene Ave, Halekulani, about 6.20pm on February 10, 2022, after reports Mr Guest had allegedly attacked a 62-year-old neighbour with a small sledge hammer.
The neighbour sustained serious injuries and was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical but stable condition.
Guest was arrested a short time later and taken to Wyong Police Station.
He was about to begin a trial last month but withdrew his instructions to his original defence lawyers on the first day of the estimated five-day proceedings.
Mr Guest’s new barrister said his client should be granted bail because he could possibly go on to have an “orthodox trial” if he received enough treatment from the psychologist he was seeing before the alleged incident.
The court heard police took out an apprehended violence order against Mr Guest for his neighbour in the “context of an ongoing neighbourhood dispute” in November 2021.
The court heard Mr 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.
Judge David Wilson said he was having difficulty accepting the argument for bail because Mr Guest was receiving treatment from the same doctor as before the incident but he was “worse now”.
“The only concern I have is for the safety of the complainant,” Judge Wilson said.
“[And] the only time he’s been on bail in his life he’s breached it.
“Repeated striking of the victim’s head with the hammer … it’s a pretty brutal [alleged] attack.”
Judge Wilson ordered Mr Guest’s defence to send their psychological report to the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) so that corrective services could address any potential shortcomings in his mental health treatment while in custody.
He then adjourned the bail application to April 30 for the court to hear back from DCJ as to Mr Guest’s future treatment.
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