Madut Aropp bailed after alleged attack at Hopetoun Green, Caroline Springs
A young churchgoing forklift driver switched his medications for alcohol before allegedly stabbing his neighbours in the back and abdomen while posting live videos to Snapchat.
West
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A young churchgoing forklift driver switched his medications for alcohol before allegedly stabbing his neighbours in the back and abdomen while posting live videos to Snapchat.
Caroline Springs man Madut Aropp, 21, appeared at Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday for his bail application.
Police responded to reports of Aropp allegedly damaging a car and stabbing two people outside a Hopetoun Green property about 11pm on Saturday.
He was arrested and subsequently charged with two counts of intentionally causing injury, two counts of criminal damage and one count of affray.
On Wednesday Magistrate Gregory Robinson read a psychological report from Mr Aropp’s doctor that provided information on “what was afflicting” on him at the time of the alleged stabbing.
“(The report says) he went off his medication and seems to have replaced that with alcohol,” Mr Robinson said.
“He’s now been referred to a psychologist, and there’s now a mental health plan in place, and the psychologist appointment is made for this Friday.
“He reported that the drinking commenced approximately a year ago after losing his childhood friend … and cousins.
The court heard Mr Aropp was remorseful for the alleged stabbing and “in the sober light of day described it as a tragedy”.
“He feels shame for what has happened to the complainants and also his family,” Mr Robinson said.
“This offence is extremely serious and concerning but what is unusual is the circumstances of this episode. He has no criminal priors, he is 21 years of age and has not demonstrated a history of violence.”
The court heard Mr Aropp came from a “good family”, was raised Catholic, attended church, finished Year 12, and was a qualified forklift driver.
Mr Robinson granted bail to the Year 12 graduate to get additional medical treatment until his bail review next week, pending his criminal case.
“Notwithstanding the seriousness of what did happen, I do wish to monitor him fairly closely,” Mr Robinson said.
He said the bail conditions will initially remain “quite strict” until Mr Aropp could demonstrate he had “stabilised” and only then “the leash can be loosened”.
Mr Aropp was granted bail to return for a bail review next week.
Police allege Mr Aropp, who lives with his sister and mum, called triple-0 four times and asked to be arrested in the hours leading up to the incident on August 30.
The court heard the third time he called emergency services, he threatened the operator and said: “If you don’t give me your full name, I’m going to start killing people”.
Police allege Mr Aropp then went to the home of his neighbour, armed with a knife and a shifter.
He allegedly started banging on the neighbours’ door and throwing rubbish bins around.
In a video, played in court, a man, alleged to be Mr Aropp, can be seen wielding a weapon as he behaves erratically.
The court heard the neighbour, accompanied by her male cousin, went outside and mentioned calling the police.
They did not know it was Mr Aropp who had allegedly been banging on their door earlier.
Mr Aropp, after hearing they would call police, allegedly stabbed his neighbour in the back.
He then allegedly stabbed the male cousin in the abdomen and smashed a car’s tail light.
When the male cousin grabbed a metal rob and tried to defend himself, Mr Aropp allegedly “charged” at the man and tried to “slash him”, slicing his palms.
He surrendered to police about 11.30pm and was arrested.
The court heard the incident was possibly an alcohol-fuelled mental health episode.
The prosecution opposed bail on Monday, telling the court Mr Aropp had stabbed two neighbours after finding out they wanted to call the police.
The court also heard the event was “so random and violent”.
“There is no way the victims can feel safe in their own homes,” the prosecution said.
Defence lawyer Kaitlyn Foote said her client had strong family support, noting the number of family members present in court.
Mr Robinson said he needed more information about Aropp’s mental health as the incident did “not seem like standard drunken behaviour”.
“I think that he is someone who requires treatment not punishment,” Mr Robinson said.
Mr Robinson adjourned the matter for arrangements to be made for Aropp to see a doctor and receive a more thorough mental health assessment.
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