Attempted murder charge laid after woman found with burns, stab wounds

An attempted murder charge has been laid after a woman was found with serious injuries. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

A man charged after a woman was found suffering from significant burns and stab wounds has been handed the more serious charge of attempted murder.

Police were called to a home in Charnwood at about 10:40 pm on 28 September 2022 after passers-by had called Triple Zero and alleged a woman was being assaulted in the backyard.

Paramedics arrived and treated her for serious burns, stab wounds and lacerations before 52-year-old Daryl Allan Robertson was arrested a short time later.

He is accused, in part, of using an aerosol can lit with a lighter in the alleged attack.

Robertson made no application for bail when he first appeared in court to face charges over the incident, including charges of intentionally inflicting grievous bodily harm and using an inflammable substance to endanger life.

His case was heard again in the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday (6 December), although he did not appear in court himself. Region has confirmed he has been handed the additional charges of attempted murder and burglary over the same incident.

Robertson’s Legal Aid lawyer told the court that his lawyers had made representations to the prosecution, but they had been rejected so she sought an adjournment to obtain instructions from him.

Magistrate James Lawton remanded Robertson in custody and adjourned until 13 January 2023.