Vic: Court to decide if man fit to plea

AAP General News (Australia)
12-10-1999
Vic: Court to decide if man fit to plea

MELBOURNE, Dec 10 AAP - An intellectually impaired man was today directed to appear
before a court to determine if he is fit to plead to assault and threat charges.

Micheal John Parker, 49, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court via a television linkup
from Port Phillip Prison where he is in custody.

Parker is charged with threatening to inflict serious injury to Michelle Mills at Swan
Hill, in Victoria's north, on August 2.

He is also charged with intentionally causing serious injury and recklessly causing
injury to Beverely Hyland at Swan Hill on August 9.

Prosecutor Michael Robinson said there was an issue about Parker's fitness to plea
and that the matter should go to a higher court where a judge would determine this.

Greg Thomas, defending, said that Parker was not in a position to enter a plea in the
Magistrates Court today.

Magistrate David McLennan remanded Parker in custody and directed him to appear at
the County Court for a directions hearing on January 19.

Further summary assault charges were adjourned to a date to be fixed.

AAP cmc/jlw/cjh

KEYWORD: PARKER

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