Moonee Ponds stabbing: Daniel Clavell, son of notorious criminal Rodney Clavell, charged

A man accused of stabbing four people in a terrifying daylight attack in Moonee Ponds is the son of a fugitive who was involved in an Adelaide siege.

A man accused of stabbing four people in Moonee Ponds in a terrifying daylight attack while on bail can be revealed as the son of a notorious South Australian criminal.

Daniel Clavell, 36, has been charged with almost 30 offences after he allegedly assaulted the owner of a discount store, Jain Hua Xia, and three members of the public on Wednesday afternoon.

However, it can also be revealed that Mr Clavell had been on an alleged stabbing rampage involving several incidents over the space of a number of weeks.

On Wednesday, Mr Clavell allegedly entered Amazing Bargains on Puckle St in Moonee Ponds armed with a “large metal nail punch”.

Daniel Clavell pictured in 2013. Picture: ABC

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

But charge sheets reveal that days earlier Mr Clavell had also allegedly assaulted a man in Coburg, on July 31, with an “edged weapon”.

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

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

The accused walks towards a pedestrian on Puckle St. Picture: Supplied

The man is seen carrying a weapon. 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 fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday afternoon, but made no application for bail.

His defence lawyer told Magistrate Brett Sonnet it was preferable his client was placed in a psychiatric ward while in custody, as he suffers from schizophrenia.

Mr Clavell will return to court on October 25.

Witness Carla Bertolini was among several members of the public who raced to ­assist four victims, aged between 30 and 50, injured during the ­attack.

“I was in the office at the back at work, I walked out and there was an elderly man with two other people that were, like, calling out to me for a medic,” she said.

“I look over and there was blood dripping from the old man’s neck. When I first saw him there was definitely a lot of blood dripping from his neck.”

Ms Bertolini, 19, quickly ushered victim Raymond Robertson, aged in his 80s, inside a nearby medical centre before racing to assist after learning multiple people had been stabbed.

She saw the first victim – the owner of Amazing Bargains – holding a bag of frozen peas to her neck: “She was in such distress,” Ms Bertolini said.

Ms Hua Xia and Mr Robertson were taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with minor injuries. They ­remained in a stable condition on Wednesday evening.

Kathy Dostan, aged in her 60s, and a man in his 30s, Jake Trenton, each with upper body injuries were taken to St Vincent’s Hospital in a stable condition.

Mr Trenton was released on Thursday afternoon.

The accused was arrested near Moonee Ponds station after the stabbing attack. Picture: Supplied

Carla Bertolini witnessed the attack. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

CCTV captured moments after the alleged attack showed the bearded offender – dressed in black skinny jeans and a black hoodie – walk calmly from the scene as he is followed by a member of the public.

The Broadmeadows man could be seen turning to confront the bystander who was filming, moving to safety behind an large electrical box on the street.

The man was arrested by police and taken into custody after fleeing to nearby Moonee Ponds railway ­station moments later in front of horrified onlookers.

Moonee Valley Mayor Pierce Tyson said in a Facebook post on Wednesday: “Incredibly disturbing to hear of locals attacked in the middle of the day on Puckle St. My thoughts are with the four victims for a speedy recovery.”

“I strongly encourage any witnesses to contact Moonee Ponds police, and thank you to our emergency services for being so quick on the scene,” he said.

A police investigation continues.

Any witnesses or people with dashcam footage or other information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.