A woman charged with the stabbing of a sushi chef in Melbourne’s CBD has a history of being “elusive and difficult to engage”, a judge has said after making a call on her bid for freedom.
Lauren Darul, 32, will remain behind bars on remand after she unsuccessfully applied for bail a month after allegedly stabbing Wan Lai, 36, with a knife on Little Bourke St on October 2.
Police allege Ms Darul used a 10cm kitchen knife to stab Ms Lai in the chest, puncturing her lung, before running west along Little Bourke St.
Ms Lai, a sushi chef, suffered serious injuries and was assisted by passers-by in the CBD.
Ms Darul is charged with intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury and committing indictable offence while on bail.
Camera IconIn CCTV footage, Ms Darul can be seen approaching Ms Lai on the street, carrying a 10cm knife in her right hand. 7News Credit: Supplied
On Wednesday, Ms Darul appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court via video link, dressed in a blue prison-issued jumper.
Deputy chief magistrate Timothy Bourke said Ms Darul was on bail for other unrelated matters at the time she allegedly stabbed Ms Lai.
He said her alleged offending was “serious” and could lead to a significant term of imprisonment if she were to be convicted.
“The applicant has various and complicated psychiatric disorders … and has been managed by various services with limited success,” Mr Bourke said.
“She has a history of being elusive and difficult to engage.
“She has been subject to 16 warrants for her arrest for failing to answer bail.”
Mr Bourke ultimately refused bail – saying he was not satisfied any bail conditions could ameliorate any possible risk she might pose if released.
Her case will return to court in December.
On Tuesday, Ms Darul’s lawyers told the court there was a “comprehensive” level of support services available for their client if she were released.
Ms Darul – who had spent a large portion of her life homeless and was described as having special vulnerabilities – had found supported independent accommodation just months before the alleged stabbing
Remaining in custody risked losing this accommodation, her lawyers argued.
Camera IconMs Darul is allegedly seen using the knife to wound Ms Lai just moments later. 7News Credit: SuppliedCamera IconA photo of the alleged weapon. Supplied/ Magistrates Court of Victoria. Credit: Supplied Source Known
But First Constable Damien Elliott said Ms Darul’s posed too great a risk to the community if she was released on bail.
He said Ms Darul had 19 outstanding criminal matters before the court at the time of the offending, along with a long history of mental health issues and substance abuse.
Ms Lai was “not supportive at all” for Ms Darul’s application for bail, with constable Elliott saying the alleged victim’s family had expressed “distress” at this prospect.
“The accused stabbed someone at 7.30am in the morning in broad daylight … I don’t understand any bail conditions that could mitigate that risk,” Constable Elliott said.
Camera IconMembers of the public rushed to assist Ms Lai before police and paramedics arrived. 7News Credit: News Corp Australia
The court was told Unity Housing, which runs the homeless shelter where Ms Darul had been living at the time, had served her with eviction papers.
Mary Patterson, a case manager from the Women’s Law and Advocacy Centre, gave evidence on Tuesday about community organisations who were ready to step in and support Ms Darul on bail.
She told the court Ms Darul “seemed more settled” in recent months and had shown a willingness to engage with support services.
