Moonee Ponds stabbing: Alleged assailant Daniel Clavell refusing to speak to lawyer

A hearing into a shocking daylight attack in Moonee Ponds where four people were stabbed has been delayed.

A man accused of stabbing four people in a terrifying daylight attack is refusing to speak to his lawyer, forcing court proceedings to stall.

Daniel Clavell, 36, has been charged with almost 30 offences after he allegedly assaulted a Moonee Ponds trader and three members of the public on August 2.

It has been alleged that Mr Clavell entered Amazing Bargains on Puckle St in Moonee Ponds armed with a “large metal nail punch”.

After allegedly stealing a number of kitchen utensils, it was claimed he assaulted shop owner Ms Hua Xia with the sharp tool, as well as two customers.

Daniel Clavell has been charged after he allegedly stabbed the owner of a discount store and three members of the public in Moonee Ponds. Picture: ABC

Charges obtained by the Herald Sun revealed that days earlier Mr Clavell had also allegedly assaulted a man in Coburg, on July 31, with an “edged weapon”.

He was also accused of assaulting two different men on June 17 and 28.

A man in all black is seen walking up Puckle St Moonee Pond carrying a weapon and threatening people on the street. Picture: Supplied

A man is arrested near Moonee Ponds station after a stabbing attack in nearby Puckle St. Picture: Supplied

His fugitive father, Rodney, killed himself during a police siege in Adelaide in 2014, after spending weeks on the run.

During the siege, part of Adelaide’s CBD was shut down and four women were held hostage. Also, two of Mr Clavell’s brothers, Joel and Joshua, were from 2017 to 2019 being watched by counter-terrorism police.

The pair were shot at by police near an isolated Murray River camping ground after they charged at officers with a knife and an axe.

They pleaded guilty to charges including assaulting an emergency worker on duty and were jailed.

Mr Clavell is facing charges including intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury, common law assault, assault with a weapon and armed robbery.

He was expected to front Melbourne Magistrates Court via a digital link on Wednesday for a hearing to decide if he should stand trial over the Moonee Ponds incidents.

However, his lawyer Scott Thomas told the court Mr Clavell was refusing to leave the cells attend and would not “engage” with him about the case.

Mr Scott said while he held instructions to act on behalf of Mr Clavell, his client had since “disengaged”.

“Without wanting to throw him under the bus … I haven’t been able to speak to him,” Mr Scott said.

Magistrate Andrew McKenna asked Mr Thomas if he had attempted face-to-face contact by “going to the prison”.

“It used to be the norm before we had the pandemic,” Mr McKenna said

Mr Thomas said he was yet to visit the prison and agreed to try and see his client in person prior to the next hearing.

Mr McKenna then ordered Mr Clavell to attend in person when the committal hearing resumed November 22.

Mr Clavell made no application for bail and will remain in custody.