Canberra man bailed over alleged random attack on a stranger walking her dogs in Kambah

A Symonston man wiped away tears as he was granted bail for what was described in court as a “random and unprovoked violent attack” on a woman.

Police allege in court documents that Sammy Heikurinen, 50, was standing with a dog on a Kambah street when he saw the alleged victim walking her two dogs on the same street towards her home on Tuesday (9 July) at about 7 pm.

Mr Heikurinen allegedly became verbally aggressive to her. She tried to leave as she feared for her safety and wasn’t sure how her dogs would react to his dog, which was not on a lead.

However, Mr Heikurinen reportedly continued to “yell out at her” and ultimately approached her.

In response, police say the alleged victim “raised her arms and pushed out”, striking Mr Heikurinen in the throat.

During what police describe as a “minor physical altercation”, the alleged victim grabbed Mr Heikurinen’s genitals in an attempt to get free.

Mr Heikurinen allegedly forced her head down into the soil of a garden bed “with significant force” before putting her in a headlock and head butting her, pulling out clumps of her hair and biting her finger.

When he released her, the alleged victim immediately went to her home and told her partner what had happened. She said she’d lost her phone in the alleged fight, and so her partner called ACT Policing at about 7:03 pm.

On arrival, officers found the alleged victim bleeding from a laceration on the bridge of her nose and from a wound on her hand.

Officers also reportedly later found the phones of the alleged victim and Mr Heikurinen lying about one metre from each other on the ground in front of the Kambah residence.

Mr Heikurinen was arrested at about 7:36 pm and taken to The Canberra Hospital to be treated for injuries to his face. Early the following morning (Wednesday, 10 July), he was medically discharged and taken to the ACT Regional Watch House.

He has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm for the alleged incident and faced ACT Magistrates Court later that day, where he applied for bail.

Prosecutor Ilsa Hattam opposed on the “likelihood of [bail] endangering the safety and welfare of the community”.

Ms Hattam described the alleged incident as a “random and unprovoked violent attack”. She said the woman had “expressed serious concerns for her safety” in the aftermath of the alleged assault.

Legal Aid lawyer Gillian Bilton said Mr Heikurinen lived with his dog and was planning to seek support services.

“Something has changed that needs to be addressed,” she said.

The court also heard he lives with complex post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

“He does have positive connections in the community,” Ms Bilton said.

“He does have close friends that, I understand, he does call on when he has moments of vulnerability.”

Magistrate Richter said the case was “very concerning”.

“This was an attack on a random stranger. This man does need help.”

He granted bail with strict conditions, including being unable to enter Kambah, contact the alleged victim and go within 100 metres of her.

“You will need to comply strongly with this bail,” Magistrate Richter told Mr Heikurinen.

“If you re-offend during this bail, the odds are you will be remanded in custody.”

On hearing he was being granted bail, Mr Heikurinen teared up and said, “Thank you”.

He will next face court on 8 August and is yet to enter a plea.