WA: Man arrested for pub slashing after 30 beers

AAP General News (Australia)
04-18-2005
WA: Man arrested for pub slashing after 30 beers

By Tim Clarke

PERTH, April 18 AAP - A Perth man arrested after allegedly assaulting a fellow hotel
patron was suffering an apparent psychosis after consuming 30 beers on top of his anti-depressant
medication, his lawyer said today.

Wayne John Burne, 37, was remanded in custody following a brief appearance in Perth
magistrates court this afternoon where he faced one charge each of causing grievous bodily
harm, possessing a controlled weapon and cultivating cannabis.

Burne's lawyer, Michael Hawkins, told the court his client had been on sickness benefits
for the past three or four years after being diagnosed with depression.

He was taking three separate prescription medications but also routinely smoked two
joints of marijuana each day, Mr Hawkins said.

Prior to the alleged assault Burne had consumed 30 beers and "suffered from what appeared
to be psychosis", he told the court.

"His wife has told me he feared he would be attacked by four men and that's why he
had with him the ceremonial sword."

Few facts were tendered to the court today but West Australian police earlier said
Burne, of Huntingdale in Perth's south-east, was in possession of a samurai sword when
he allegedly attacked the fellow drinker at the Southern River Tavern in Gosnells with
a box cutter about 8.30pm (WST) yesterday.

Prior to his court appearance, a police spokesman said Burne had boarded a flight to
Singapore but was arrested after the pilot was requested to taxi back to Perth international
terminal where Australian Protective Services officers were waiting.

Mr Hawkins told the court he had inquired of a doctor what effect the combination of
drugs and alcohol may have had on his client and was told they could promote depression,
anxiety and psychosis.

A forensic psychiatric nurse will assess Burne before he returns to the same court tomorrow.

Mr Hawkins said his client was embarrassed and regretted the alleged incident.

His request that the matters be dealt with in the WA Drug Court was rejected on the
grounds that it was not the correct jurisdiction for a grievous bodily harm offence.

No bail application was made.

AAP tc/hn/jt/de

KEYWORD: TERMINAL NIGHTLEAD

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