A Riverina man charged with multiple offences over an alleged stabbing has been refused bail.
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Scott John Anderson, 20, of Temora appeared via audio-visual link at Wagga Local Court on Monday charged with three knife-related offences, reckless grievous bodily harm and affray.
Mr Anderson has not entered his pleas.
Riverina police allege the stabbing incident occurred during a physical fight between Mr Anderson and another man about 1.45am on Sunday in Temora.
In court on Monday, police prosecutor Sergeant Priscilla Jones opposed bail, saying there were unacceptable risks
“He’s temporarily working in the Temora area, has no ties to the community and generally resides in South Australia,” Ms Jones said.
“Additionally, there are concerns in regards to victim protection.”
Mr Anderson’s previous criminal convictions were also raised.
“The record in South Australia does reflect occasions where there has been breaches of bail,” Ms Jones said.
“Certainly those would create concerns for the court regarding compliance.
“It [Temora incident] is quite serious involving the stabbing of the victim.”
The accused’s partner from Temora sat in court during the bail hearing.
Defence lawyer Max Staples said Mr Anderson and the victim did not know each other.
“There’s no previous relationship, but clearly he’d have to stay away from that person,” Mr Staples said.
“He’s in Temora for work...he’s established a relationship with someone in Temora.”
Mr Staples also cited his client’s disabilities.
“Mr Anderson instructs me that he has some intellectual disabilities,” Mr Staples said.
“He has a lot of trouble reading and writing.
“Bail is sought to get some legal advice, get some support from his family in South Australia and work out how he’s going to best plea to the charges.”
Mr Anderson’s sister in South Australia offered a $1000 deposit for bail.
However, Magistrate Christopher Halburd said “Unfortunately I’m going to have to come down the side of the sergeant”.
“I do believe there are unacceptable risks of failing to appear and endangering the safety of the victim,” Mr Halburd said.
“He has a fairly limited criminal history but it’s a slightly troubling criminal history.
“I accept that he has work available [in Temora] but his home is obviously South Australia.”
As for Mr Anderson's intellectual disabilities, Mr Halburd said “despite there being a paucity of evidence, I accept he has some sort of cognitive impairment”.
However, he said those conditions, including the bail deposit, were not “sufficient to ameliorate the risks”.
“For that reason, bail is refused.”
The matter is scheduled to come before Wagga Local Court again on February 19.
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