Stockton: Rick Matheson charged with allegedly stabbing neighbour in unit complex

A Stockton man has been charged with reckless wounding after he allegedly stabbed his neighbour.

Stockton man charged after allegedly stabbing his neighbour. Istock.

A court has heard a Stockton man who had had enough of his neighbour, stabbed him in the back with a pair of scissors while he was hanging the washing on the clothes lines.

Rick Matheson, 40, was arrested by Newcastle Police at his Pitt St unit complex in Stockton at around 10am on Sunday and was later charged with reckless wounding.

Police facts said Matheson was fighting with his 58-year-old neighbour before he allegedly stabbed him in the shoulder.

The neighbour then fought back, arming himself with a metal pole, before laying into Matheson who suffered 12 stitches to the head and six stitches to the knee.

The court heard the pair had a strained relationship.

“Looks like an over-reaction to a minor incident,” the police prosecutor said.

“May have been a case that the neighbor relationship has broken down for some time.”

Matheson appeared in person at Newcastle Local Court on Monday as his solicitor Ms Pervan applied for bail.

Matheson appeared at Newcastle Local Court on Monday. Supplied Amy Ziniak

The police prosecutor opposed his release, unless he was able to find other accommodation.

“The issue is the residential address,” he said.

“He lives next door to the victim in a block of units.

“There’s no reason why conditions can’t be fashioned.”

But Ms Pervan said her client - who had mental health issues and had not had his meds (medication) since Thursday - had “limited” places to go.

“He has been at that property the last 9 years through department of housing, he has nowhere else to go,” she said.

“The only option is to establish short term accommodation.”

The registra said given the alleged offence, she wasn’t comfortable for Matheson to return to his current residence, but granted him bail to find alternative accommodation, with strict conditions attached.

“You are not to reside there or go within 100 metres except within company police to get your belongings and you must accept treatment and take your medication,” she said.

“You must notify police once the address is obtained.”

The matter has been adjourned until later this month.