A man accused of a random knife attack in Melbourne's CBD has been denied bail after a judge deemed him too high a risk to the community. Lauren Darul, who now uses he/him pronouns, appeared in the Supreme Court of Victoria on Thursday, where Justice Rita Incerti refused his application.
Justice Incerti described Darul as an 'extremely volatile individual' and noted the alleged offending was 'unprovoked, random and had extremely serious consequences for the complainant.' The victim, Wan Lai, remains deeply fearful of encountering Darul in the community.
Darul, 33, was charged on October 2 last year after allegedly stabbing Ms Lai, 36, in the chest on Little Bourke St, puncturing her lung. He was arrested less than 90 minutes later at a supported housing facility. He faces charges including intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury, and committing an indictable offence while on bail.
The court heard evidence from consultant psychiatrist Dr Vashti Wilman, who stated there was a 'very high likelihood' Darul would return to using methamphetamines if released. Dr Wilman's clinical impression was that Darul could not be treated effectively in the community, and Justice Incerti accepted that the risks of reoffending were 'genuine and serious.'
Darul has pleaded not guilty, and his case has been sent to the County Court for trial. He will appear for a directions hearing on June 11. This was the fourth time Darul had applied for bail.
