Alleged hotel knife attack saw stranger cut man in chest

CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to mental health.

An alleged knife attack in a central Canberra hotel earlier this year has seen the accused attacker refused bail this week.

It is alleged a man was walking down the hallway of a Civic hotel around 9 pm on 2 May, 2024, when a stranger, Jandamarra Elcery Liles Olle, rushed out of a hotel room and grabbed his neck in an unprovoked attack.

Mr Olle allegedly yelled, “Get in the room”, and tried to drag the man into his hotel room while his alleged victim tried to fight back.

He allegedly pulled out a folding knife with a 20 cm blade and tried to force it towards the man’s stomach, but the man grabbed his hand to stop him and yelled for help.

The knife allegedly touched the man’s chest, leaving a small cut, during the struggle.

It is alleged two other hotel guests heard the man’s cries for help and ran from their rooms. Together, the three managed to hold Mr Olle down and take the knife from his hands while also calling police.

Police arrived a short time later to find Mr Olle being held on the floor. The officers placed him under arrest and seized the knife.

The 36-year-old applied for bail in the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday (3 October) after spending about five months in custody on remand.

His lawyer, Richard Brandon-Baker from Legal Aid, said his client had indicated guilty pleas to charges of possessing an offensive weapon with intent and choking.

Charges of assault and unlawful confinement were the subject of representations to the prosecution, he said.

Mr Brandon-Baker said his client suffered from “quite significant mental health issues” with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and he had reported he wasn’t taking his medications at the time of the allegations.

The lawyer claimed the allegations were “explained by way of mental health”.

Mr Olle is from a rural locality in Gippsland, Victoria, and had come to the ACT with his mother, who was also his full-time carer, when she drove to the Territory for work.

Prosecutor Corinne Kennedy, who opposed bail, argued she could not see why he might be inclined to return to the ACT if he was granted bail when he may have to serve more time behind bars when he is sentenced.

Mr Olle had to demonstrate special or exceptional circumstances existed in his case for the court to hear a bail application.

Special Magistrate Marcus Hassall said the documents describing the allegations “make for alarming reading” and alleged “they’re obviously very serious offences”.

He also described them as “somewhat bizarre” and thought mental health issues could have played a significant role.

While Special Magistrate Hassall found special or exceptional circumstances existed to hear the application, he ultimately refused bail, in part saying he was concerned about the lack of continuity for Mr Olle’s mental health treatment.

The matter was adjourned for a mention on 17 October before sentencing on 27 November.

If you need help, or someone you know does, you can contact:

Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line – 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800 or kidshelpline.com.au
MensLine Australia – 1300 789 978 or mensline.org.au.