Man accused of attacking One Nation supporter appears in court
The Geelong Magistrates Court has heard that a man accused of assaulting a One Nation supporter is withdrawing from methamphetamines and suffering from depression and anxiety.
The man who allegedly attacked a One Nation supporter in Torquay last week has faced court for the first time.
KJ Seumalu, 37, has been charged with intentionally causing injury and other assault-related offences over the incident on November 1.
The court heard Mr Seumalu, who did not apply for bail, is withdrawing from methamphetamine use.
A man charged with assaulting a One Nation volunteer in Torquay has been withdrawing from methamphetamine abuse since being charged by police, a court has heard.
KJ Seumalu, 37, did not apply for bail after facing the Geelong Magistrates' Court, charged with intentionally causing injury and other assault-related offences.
Mr Seumalu allegedly used a blunt weapon to attack the One Nation supporter, who has not been named, in Torquay on November 1 in an attack police said was not politically motivated.
Mr Seumalu, who is from the south-east Melbourne suburb of Hampton Park, was arrested a short time after the incident on Sunday.
His lawyer told the court the 37-year-old had a "current issue" with drugs and his mental health.
"He reports experiencing depression and anxiety, but there's no formal diagnosis and no medication," his lawyer Elena Felekos told the court.
The court heard he has been in touch with a court-provided mental health service.
Magistrate John Lesser requested a custody management review, where judicial officers identify, record, and assess critical health, safety, and welfare needs "as a matter of caution".
Mr Seumalu is scheduled to return to court on February 23.
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- geelong
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- methamphetamine
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