Man accused of publicly attacking women in Mawson sent for mental health assessment

It’s suspected this man was involved in two separate attacks in Mawson over the weekend. Photo: ACT Policing.

The man accused of attacking two women in southern Canberra on the weekend, which police originally described as attempted abductions, has been taken for a mental health assessment.

The 31-year-old briefly appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday (25 June) after he was handed two counts of common assault over the allegations.

His lawyer, Legal Aid’s Sam Brown, said experts recommended he undergo a mental health assessment, which his client consented to.

Magistrate Jane Campbell ordered the man be taken to hospital for such an assessment and then return to court in the future when doctors deemed it appropriate.

ACT Policing previously released an image as they sought to identify the attacker from the alleged incidents in Mawson on Saturday (22 June).

It is alleged the first woman had been walking her dog on the path adjacent to Athllon Drive at around 2:50 pm when a man attempted to grab her by the shoulder before walking away.

But he allegedly then turned and began to follow her a short time later.

Then, at about 3:10 pm, another woman was running on the greenbelt adjacent to Athllon Drive when she allegedly came across the same man walking in the opposite direction.

It is alleged that as she ran past him, he grabbed her and tried to pick her up and carry her away. Police said there was a short scuffle before he dropped her and fled the scene on foot.

Police said a review of nearby CCTV provided officers with a description of the man alleged to be involved. He was arrested near Hindmarsh Drive on Monday (24 June).

Region has not named the man while he undergoes the mental health assessment.