Sunday, December 22, 2024

Canberra man charged after alleged ‘random and unprovoked violent attack’ on woman walking her dogs

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In short:

A 50-year-old man is facing assault charges after he allegedly approached a “random stranger” while she was walking her dogs in Canberra on Tuesday night.

Police allege Sammy Heikurinen yelled at and approached the woman before biting and headbutting her and pulling out clumps of her hair.

What’s next?

Mr Heikurinen was granted bail with strict conditions, and his lawyer told the court he is committed to addressing his mental health issues, with the case to return to court next month.

A Canberra man has been charged after allegedly biting and headbutting a woman in a “random and unprovoked violent attack” while she was walking her dogs.

Police allege Sammy Heikurinen, 50, started yelling at the woman as she approached her home in Kambah on Tuesday night.

According to a police statement of facts tendered to the ACT Magistrates Court, police allege that the woman feared for her safety and tried to retreat, but the man approached her and a physical altercation broke out.

Police said she grabbed his genitals in an attempt to break free.

Mr Heikurinen allegedly forced her head down into the soil of a garden bed “with significant force”.

Police allege he put the alleged victim in a headlock and headbutted her on the nose, causing her to bleed.

He is also accused of pulling out large clumps of her hair and biting her finger.

Mr Heikurinen has been charged with one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He faced the court on Wednesday with a large black eye.

Prosecutor Ilsa Hattam told the court the man and woman had no previous contact, describing the incident as a “random and unprovoked violent attack”.

Special Magistrate Sean Richter said it was a “concerning case”.

“This was an attack on a random stranger,” he said.

The court heard Mr Heikurinen suffered from complex post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

“Something clearly has come off the rails,” Mr Richter said.

Mr Heikurinen was granted bail with strict conditions, including that he does not travel to Kambah, remains 100 metres away from the woman and engages with support services.

Legal Aid lawyer Gillian Bilton said her client was committed to addressing his mental health issues.

The case will return to court next month.

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