A homeless man accused of randomly stabbing a stranger in the chest as she walked to work through Melbourne‘s CBD in broad daylight is preparing a fourth bid for freedom.
Alleged knife attacker Lauren Darul, 33, appeared before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday charged over the alleged stabbing of sushi chef Wan Lai, 36, on October 2 last year.
The Supreme Court of Victoria heard in December that Darul now identified as a man, despite being detained at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, Victoria’s female prison, at the time.
Police allege Darul plunged a knife into Ms Lai’s chest as she walked along Little Bourke Street about 7.40am, in an attack that shocked Australia.
CCTV footage allegedly captured the moment Ms Lai was stabbed during the morning commute before the accused fled the scene.
The court previously heard Darul allegedly made no demands of his victim and carried out the attack without provocation while clutching a soccer ball and the knife.
Ms Lai suffered serious chest injuries, with doctors initially fearing the blade had punctured her lung.
‘I’m still recovering physically and emotionally, and I truly hope the justice system prioritises community safety,’ Ms Lai previously told Daily Mail Australia.
Accused knife attacker Lauren Darul, 33, appeared via videolink at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday as lawyers flagged a fourth bid for bail over the alleged CBD stabbing
CCTV allegedly captured the moment sushi chef Wan Lai was stabbed during the morning commute on Little Bourke Street in an attack that shocked Melbourne
On Wednesday, Darul did not speak during the brief hearing, instead playing with her hair and sipping water while appearing via custody videolink.
Lawyers indicated the accused would soon lodge a fourth bail application in another attempt to secure release from custody through a mental impairment defence.
Lawyers told the court a mental impairment report had been commissioned, which could result in him being found not guilty by reason of mental impairment.
Darul was refused bail in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in November but was later granted bail by the Supreme Court in December and released into a mental health facility.
Justice Rita Incerti found a plan proposed by Darul’s legal team, transferring the accused to hospital for mental health treatment and returning the matter to court for review before any discharge, alleviated the risk she posed to the community.
The court heard Darul had a serious drug habit and allegedly used methamphetamines daily.
At the time of the alleged offence, Darul had been so mentally unwell that he had begun referring to himself as ‘The King of Australia’.
Crown prosecutor Richard Pirrie urged Justice Incerti not to release Darul, arguing the accused was receiving appropriate treatment in custody and could make a fresh bail application if circumstances changed.
The court heard Darul’s alleged behaviour had increased in both seriousness and randomness in the lead-up to the alleged CBD attack.
Lauren Darul, 33, who now identifies as a man, remained silent during the brief court appearance as a fresh bail bid looms.
Sushi chef Wan Lai after her ordeal
The court was also told Darul had a history of evading responsibility and disregarding court orders despite being granted bail multiple times.
Darul had previously been the subject of 16 arrest warrants for failing to answer bail or appear in court. He also had nine prior guilty findings for failing to appear on bail since 2022 and eight findings of guilt for committing an indictable offence while on bail.
However, that freedom lasted just two days before bail was revoked by Justice Incerti after ‘fresh medical material’ was provided to the court, resulting in Darul being returned to custody.
Justice Incerti said the accused could lodge a fresh bail application if ‘circumstances change’ and treatment progresses.
Magistrate Brett Sonnet was told several lower-level matters involving Darul had since been finalised, while the serious stabbing charge continues to progress through the courts.
A committal hearing is expected later this year.
He will return to court on March 2.
