Motive unclear in street carnage

SAEED Noori wanted to kill or maim as many people as possible when he rammed his car through pedestrians on Melbourne’s Flinders St last week, police believe.

But his lawyer, Tas Antos, has already indicated Noori may be too mentally unwell to be prosecuted.

A police summary released yesterday by Magistrate John Hardy said Noori’s motives remained unclear but that he wanted to cause carnage.

“It is alleged the accused drove a motor vehicle into pedestrians … with the intention of killing or causing really serious injury to as many people as possible,” a police summary states.

Noori appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates Court yesterday charged with 18 counts of attempted murder following last week’s Flinders St incident.

The 32-year-old was placed behind protective glass and stared at the floor for the duration of the short hearing.

Mr Antos said Noori needed to be assessed for mental impairment and that his fitness to plead may be an issue.

It was revealed this week that Noori’s mother Shakiba Jalaly believed her son had been ruined by drugs.

Twenty people were taken to hospital after the incident. Twelve have been discharged.

Eight remain under care, with two in critical condition.