Matthew William Lawson, 25, has pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of a 29-year-old man in a violent attack on West Coast Highway in City Beach. The victim remains in Royal Perth Hospital in a critical condition after his leg was severed during the incident.
Police allege an argument between the two men began at a nearby construction site, after which Lawson ran down the victim with his utility vehicle and then struck him with a hammer. The victim's leg was severed, leaving a large pool of blood on the southbound lanes of the highway.
An off-duty doctor and another member of the public stopped at the scene and applied a tourniquet, which police say likely saved the victim's life. Superintendent Manus Walsh stated, 'Had the victim not been rendered medical assistance by witnesses at the scene, there is a likelihood that he would have lost his life.'
Lawson appeared in Perth Magistrates Court, where he declined legal advice and refused a psychological report. Magistrate Janelle Scutt asked him three times if he wanted to seek legal representation, given the seriousness of the charge, to which he responded 'nup' and 'it's all good.' He also declined a pre-sentencing report.
Lawson did not apply for bail and is due to appear in the Stirling Gardens Magistrate Court on August 21. The case will be transferred to the Supreme Court, as the Magistrates Court cannot handle matters of this nature.
WA Premier Roger Cook condemned the attack, calling it 'disgusting' and 'heinous.' He added, 'I don't think you could ever come across a crime more violent, more physical than this.' Police have confirmed the two men knew each other and had been together at a home reconstruction site prior to the attack.
