| Vic matricide accused too ill for court |
A Melbourne man accused of killing his mother is too unstable to face court.
Stephen Patrick Bailey has been charged with murder over the death of his mother, Penny Baily, 59, whose body was found in bush near Mullum Mullum Creek in Donvale on Thursday.
The mother of three shared a Mont Albert flat with her 34-year-old son.
Bailey was taken to Thomas Embling psychiatric hospital following his arrest on Wednesday, a Melbourne court heard on Friday.
After being charged, Bailey was removed from the secure hospital and brought to court, where his lawyer Christopher Dane QC said he'd prefer if Bailey was not forced to come up from the cells.
Mr Dane told magistrate Jan McLean he was extremely concerned about Bailey's condition.
'He's in a very florid state,' Mr Dane said.
'This morning when he was at Thomas Embling he was sedated to the point where he couldn't be raised.'
Mr Dane said staff at the secure hospital were 'very upset' Bailey was removed and that there was a bed available for him.
Magistrate McLean said Bailey should be returned to a secure psychiatric facility as a matter of urgency.
'I can only request in the strongest terms that he be returned to Thomas Embling,' she said.
The matter will return to court in February 2016.
Ms Bailey's family said in a statement she would be remembered for her love of family.
'Penny was a beautiful woman,' the family said.
'She will be remembered for her caring nature, warm heart and love of family.'
Ms Bailey is the daughter of former Carlton footballer Laurie Kerr and his wife Vivienne, who is the club's number one female ticket holder.
The Kerr family is a much-loved part of the Carlton Football Club, the Blues say.
'We are shocked and saddened by the tragic news regarding Penny,' a spokesperson said in a statement.
| HAVE YOUR SAY!!! - What do you think about this story? Tell us here. |
|
