Teen accused of stabbing men in Bunnings car park was on bail, court told
A teenager accused of stabbing two men in the face and genitals in a “cowardly” attack over a pair of AirPods was on bail for another violent assault, a court has heard.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A knife-wielding teen who stabbed two men – including to the face and genitals – over a pair of AirPods was on bail for another violent assault, a court has heard.
Tyson Dwyer, 18, fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday where he launched another bid for freedom after the “cowardly” attack in the car park of a Bunnings on Monday evening.
Police claim two men, aged 40 and 18, confronted Mr Dwyer and his mates in the car park about 7.30pm after they allegedly stole the AirPods from the 18-year-old at Broadmeadows Shopping Centre an hour earlier.
The two men, from Glenroy, did not report the robbery to police and are believed to have used the Apple “Find My” app to track the earphones.
Magistrate Brett Sonnet described to the court how Mr Dwyer, from Meadow Heights, and his mates chased the men when they arrived at the car park, before the 40-year-old fell over.
“(The accused) armed with a knife slashes and stabs him twice to the face,” he said, referencing the allegations.
The group of teens then turned its attention to the 18-year-old, who was confronted by the accused.
“He falls to the ground … and whilst on the ground, (the accused) and (co-accused) both armed with knives each strike (him) in excess of ten times.”
Mr Sonnet told the court Mr Dwyer allegedly returned to one of the victims to “stab him in the genital … region”.
The court heard the 18-year-old suffered serious stab wounds and underwent surgery.
Four of the teens, including Mr Dwyer, were tracked by the Air Wing to a Broadmeadows address and arrested “hiding in the closet of a stairwell”.
In opposing bail, Detective Sergeant Joseph Hartwig told the court the accused was also allegedly involved in a New Year’s Eve assault last year.
The court heard Mr Dwyer was one of 20 males who gathered outside the house of a former classmate after they spotted him watching the fireworks earlier in the night.
Sergeant Hartwig said the man approached the group before Mr Dwyer allegedly slashed the man’s right cheek with a knife.
The court heard Mr Dwyer was charged following the alleged assault and granted bail on New Year’s Day.
His defence lawyer Jack Hurley told the court his client should be bailed again to live with his aunt, noting he has cognitive deficits and an IQ of only 72.
But Mr Sonnet disagreed, finding Mr Dwyer posed an “unacceptable risk” to the public, describing youth crime as “not only prevalent, but rampant”.
“It is an outrageous, gratuitous, violent attack on two innocent victims,” he said.
But after watching the CCTV footage of the attack “ten times”, Mr Sonnet said the prosecution would need to prove the accused was depicted in the footage, given it did not appear to capture his face.
Mr Dwyer watched the hearing from the dock, sporting an orange shirt and mullet.
He was remanded in custody, nodding when Mr Sonnet asked him if he understood the outcome of the bail application.
He has been slapped with nine charges, including intentionally and recklessly causing injury, intentionally causing serious injury, affray and possessing a prohibited weapon.
He was one of four teens arrested on Monday night following the fight.
Co-accused Hakopa Heremaia, 19, from Craigieburn, fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday where his lawyer revealed he was also on bail.
Two 19-year-old men, from Coolaroo and Broadmeadows, were bailed on Monday to appear before Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on June 17.
A 14-year-old boy, who was injured during the fight, is expected to be interviewed.
Mr Dwyer and Mr Heremaia will return to court on May 20.
The most stolen car in Victoria probably isn’t what you think
Car thefts are running at a 20-year high in Victoria and the number one vehicle being nicked by a new generation of hi-tech thieves may surprise you.
‘I’ve run over your missus’: Moment killer driver took second life
A drunk driver, who had already run over and killed a Victorian woman, tried to steal a Pajero from a Qld property, mowing down its owner and delivering her body to her devastated husband.