Shannon Dennis allegedly stabbed man in Richmond unit

A man suffered stab wounds to his forehead, chest, back, forearm, and neck after a fight broke out as a group of people were watching TV in a unit, a court has heard.

A court has heard an argument over a television show was the catalyst for an assault that left a 35-year-old man with serious stab wounds in the Hawkesbury.

Police were called to a unit on Lennox St, Richmond, just after midnight on Sunday morning and found Matthew Mahoni with stab wounds to his forehead, chest, back, forearm, and neck.

Shannon Rodney Dennis, 24, of Richmond, was arrested shortly afterwards and charged with wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Shannon Dennis was arrested shortly after he allegedly stabbed a man in an apartment on Lennox St, Richmond. The apartment is not pictured. Picture: Google

He appeared in Penrith Local Court on Monday for a bail application before Magistrate Fiona Toose.

Mr Dennis’s lawyer said he had met the victim at the home earlier in the night, and the stabbing was an act of self defence after he had been punched in the face.

The lawyer said there were some questions about the charge, including where the knife came from and the reliability of two other witnesses at the home as they were both allegedly on illicit substances at the time of the alleged stabbing.

Shannon Dennis will next appear in Penrith Local Court on May 14.

He said Mr Dennis could agree to live with his parents under a 24-hour curfew and only leave for court, legal meetings, and any treatment for mental health issues.

Mr Dennis would also agree to abstain from alcohol and illicit drugs.

“He doesn’t know where the victim resides, and he understands he can’t speak to any prosecution witnesses,” the lawyer said.

The prosecutor “strongly opposed” bail, calling the matter “extremely serious”.

“It’s of significant concern that it happened while he was abusing methylamphetamine while residing with his father,” she said.

“The weapon hasn’t been recovered at this stage, and there’s significant concern of interference with evidence.”

Shannon Dennis (not pictured) was arrested shortly after the alleged stabbing in Richmond on Sunday morning.

In facts read to the court by Magistrate Toose, she said the argument started over an interruption to a television show the group at the unit was watching.

Magistrate Toose refused bail, saying she didn’t trust Mr Dennis could abstain from drugs.

“It’s concerning that his father has turned a blind eye to his substance abuse, or is unable to control it, and I’m not sure any conditions would change that,” she said.

“I don’t believe the risk can be mitigated, and I refuse bail.”

Mr Dennis will next appear in court on May 14.

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