Chores dispute leads to stabbing
A MAN stabbed his housemate with a large kitchen knife after an argument over household chores erupted at a St Leonards rooming house.
St Leonards man Bernard Hales pleaded guilty to intentionally cause injury at the Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
The court heard Hales, the victim and one other man were living in the Sylvester Ave rooming house on May 31 when the atmosphere became hostile and tense.
Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Jacki Davis said Hales and the victim were in the property’s kitchen when they started fighting about personal belongings and household chores.
The court was told Hales claimed the victim was using his personal belongings which made him feel uncomfortable.
Sen-Constable Davis said the argument became increasingly heated before Hales grabbed a 17cm kitchen knife and lashed out at the victim.
“He stabbed (the victim) in the back all the way to the handle (of the knife),” she said.
The court heard the third housemate, who had been in his bedroom while the stabbing occurred, later said a “good-sized knife” was used.
Sen-Constable Davis said police were called and found the victim sitting in a room seriously injured.
He was flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition for treatment. The court heard the man later absconded from the hospital and had not given a statement to police.
Hales’ lawyer Shane Balkin said his client believed there was “bad blood” between the pair over comments he had made.
Mr Balkin said the pair started arguing when his client was “set upon” and pushed to the ground leading him to stab the other man as an act of selfdefence.
He said Hales had cleaned up his life by moving out of the rooming house and becoming a live-in carer for an old friend in her 80s.
Mr Balkin admitted Hales was very lucky to not be facing more serious charges.
“He acknowledges things could have been so much worth,” he said. “He understands using a weapon is very concerning.”
Magistrate John Lesser urged Hales to stay out of trouble, and convicted and fined him $2000.