Myuna Way resident Tony Popovski allegedly stabbed neighbour in the forehead
A Mangerton man allegedly shaved the sides of his head and put on a pair of women’s shorts to avoid police, after he allegedly stabbed his neighbour in the forehead.
Illawarra Star
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A Mangerton man has been refused bail after he allegedly stabbed another man in the forehead during an early morning brawl at Myuna Way.
Tony Popovski, 37, began punching and kicking the doors of his cell at Wollongong Police Station as Magistrate Susan McGowan refused his application for bail on Tuesday, noting the “appalling” allegations against him.
Popovski was arrested on Monday afternoon and charged with affray, malicious damage, common assault and resist police, after he allegedly attacked two of his neighbours at the infamous Myuna Way that morning.
The alleged attack began just before 7am on Monday, when police facts tendered to the court said Popovski started mouthing off at one of his neighbours.
According to police facts, the 37-year-old started muttering under his breath to Samantha Rutten, who also lives at the housing commission complex, before she told him to “f*** off”.
It’s then alleged he began chasing her with a piece of timber, before hitting her over the head just above her left ear, causing her to “feel dizzy”.
Forty-year-old Wade Landmark saw the alleged attack happen and ran to help Ms Rutten, but as he approached, Popovski started throwing punches at him.
As the pair threw punches at one another, Popovski allegedly pulled a large knife out of his pants and started swinging it at Mr Landmark.
While swinging the knife around, police facts alleged Popovski slashed Mr Landmark’s neck above his collarbone, causing a “deep and open 5cm laceration”.
The accused then entered block 13, closing two glass doors behind him. Mr Landmark approached the doors and tried to get in, before Popovski allegedly thrust the knife through the glass doors into Mr Landmark’s forehead.
Police quickly attended the scene, and Ms Rutten and Mr Landmark were taken to Wollongong Hospital for treatment, while Popovski allegedly fled to an apartment in block 13.
A crime scene was established and police guard was maintained at the block, where Popovski was allegedly hiding.
After police left the scene, Popovski left the apartment, before he was approached by two other officers who told him he was under arrest.
Police facts allege Popovski “clenched his fists” and stepped into an “aggressive stance” as police tried to handcuff him. It’s then alleged he pushed their hands away before hurling abuse at the arresting officers.
Police wrestled Popovski to the ground before he was eventually restrained and arrested.
In the few short hours between the alleged assault and his arrest, Popovski allegedly shaved the sides of his head and put on a pair of women’s shorts to try and alter his appearance.
After his arrest, police spoke with the occupier of the unit where Popovski had allegedly been hiding, who said the knife used in the altercation had been hidden in a bedhead. She also revealed Popovski had shaved his hair in her apartment, with police later finding his long brown locks in her bathtub.
During his appearance in Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday, Popovski appeared agitated and at several times swore as the prosecution gave their reasons for opposing bail.
While the defence argued Popovski was acting in self defence at the time of the attacks, Magistrate McGowan disagreed, saying the prosecution case was strong.
Popovski was refused bail and will return to court next week.
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