Halekulani: Former paramedic David Michael Guest’s bail varied so he can get magnetic therapy

A former paramedic who allegedly bashed his neighbour’s head in with a small sledgehammer has had his bail varied so he can get some medicine treatment, a court has heard.

Former paramedic David Michael Guest, of Halekulani, will face a new trial in December 2025 over the alleged assault of his neighbour using a small sledge hammer. Picture: Facebook

A former paramedic charged with allegedly attacking his neighbour with a small sledgehammer in a violent rage, has had a further bail variation granted to allow him to attend daily magnetic therapy sessions unaccompanied.

David Michael Guest, of Halekulani, appeared via video link at Gosford District Court on Thursday where he was also given a new trial date of December 8 next year.

The 47-year-old was due to face trial earlier this year after pleading not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent, recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm and breaching an apprehended violence order (AVO).

However, the court heard the trial was aborted given concerns about Mr Guest’s mental capacity at the time.

“Fitness was an issue but it’s no longer an issue,” the Crown prosecutor told the court.

Mr Guest allegedly used a small sledge hammer, akson known as a mallet hammer, in the alleged attack. (File image)

The new trial date will come almost four years after emergency services were called to Huene Ave, Halekulani, about 6.30pm on February 10, 2022, following reports of a neighbour dispute.

Charge sheets allege the former paramedic had breached an AVO and a previous bail condition, by allegedly attacking a 62-year-old neighbour with a small sledgehammer, also known as a mallet hammer.

Former paramedic David Michael Guest. Picture: Facebook

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

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

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.

The court has previously heard Mr Guest pleaded not guilty on the basis he disputed the allegation he caused the harm “intentionally”.

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

Mr Guest had been remanded in custody for more than two years since his arrest but was granted bail in July on almost 30 strict conditions that effectively put him under house arrest at his uncle’s residence in the Blue Mountains.

But the court heard Mr Guest had since successfully applied to vary several of the conditions including allowing him to report to police and exercise within 5km of his uncle’s address unaccompanied.

On Thursday, Mr Guest’s solicitor Bryan Wrench applied for a further variation to allow his client to attend daily transcranial magnetic stimulation sessions at Nepean Hospital without a chaperone.

The non-invasive procedure uses magnetic fields to stimulate parts of the brain involved in mood control and is usually used when other depression treatments have failed.

The variation was not opposed by the Crown and granted.