Horse trainer Tommy Hughes Jr ‘significant health issues’ detailed in court after alleged stabbing in Ascot Vale
Tommy Hughes Jr’s lawyer detailed the former horse trainer’s “significant health issues” as he faced court over an alleged double stabbing.
Victoria
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Former horse trainer Tommy Hughes Jr has fronted court following his dramatic arrest in relation to an alleged double stabbing in Melbourne’s northwest.
Hughes, 56, groaned as he went to sit down, flanked by custody officers, in the Melbourne Custody Centre from where he appeared via video link in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court from about 12.20pm.
His lawyer, Anthony Brand, said his client had sustained broken ribs in a serious car accident and was suffering mental health issues.
“Mr Hughes has some significant health issues, which need, I would say, fairly immediate attention,” Mr Brand said.
“I would be asking he receive some fairly comprehensive attention for those matters.”
The Herald Sun earlier reported Hughes had been arrested after crashing his car into a tree while allegedly trying to evade police on Kensington Rd, Kensington, at 2pm on Wednesday.
Hughes did not say anything throughout the brief hearing, except to acknowledge who he was and that he could see and hear the court via the video link.
He made no application for bail.
Charge sheets allege Hughes attacked Simon Gray and Jennifer King in Ascot Vale on August 8.
“The accused ... did without lawful excuse recklessly engage in conduct by stabbing Simon Gray,” Police claim in the court documents.
Police allege he threatened to kill Mr Gray, before imprisoning him and detaining him against his will.
Hughes is also accused of assaulting Mr Gray and Ms King with a kitchen knife.
Investigators have also charged him with dangerous driving and failing to stop his vehicle at the direction of police on August 9.
The alleged victims suffered injuries described as not life-threatening.
Police said the three people involved in the violence at Ascot Vale knew each other.
Police successfully applied to the court for personal safety orders to be granted to protect the man and woman Hughes had allegedly attacked.
Under the order, Hughes is banned from going within 10m of the pair.
Mr Brand said they would take “no issue” with those orders.
The case was adjourned to August 25.
An email sent by Victoria Racing Club security advised recipients that Hughes may try to enter the Flemington racecourse.
The message said Hughes may be dangerous and should not be approached.
“The club has increased security, as we also had a car enter the course proper yesterday afternoon,” the email said.
Racing Victoria confirmed it was aware of an arrest made on Tuesday over an alleged attack at Ascot Vale.
“Whilst the matter remains the subject of an ongoing investigation by Victoria Police we will not be making any further comment,” the statement said.
It was revealed last year that Hughes had decided to take a break from training horses.
He is the son of legendary trainer Tommy Hughes and took over his father’s team when he retired.
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