'Inexplicable act of violence': alleged Belconnen stabber has bail refused

A stabbing in Belconnen was allegedly an “explosive act of violence”, a court has heard.

Atem Gak Atem, 26, reportedly went to a Belconnen home looking for someone on 23 August, however that person was not present.

He then allegedly broke a window with a rock and repeatedly stabbed a man before threatening to stab someone else at the home.

Police were called and provided first aid to the alleged victim before he was treated at the scene by paramedics. The man was taken to hospital with what ACT Policing termed “serious injuries”.

The alleged offender fled the home on foot, with ACT Policing starting a manhunt for him.

Almost a week after the alleged attack, on Wednesday afternoon (28 August), officers from ACT Policing Criminal Investigations went to a homeless shelter in north Canberra and arrested Mr Atem.

A subsequent search at the premises located a knife and other items, which police took for forensic examination.

Mr Atem faced the ACT Magistrates Court the following day (29 August) charged with recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm, recklessly threatening to inflict grievous bodily harm and property damage over the alleged attack.

In court, his lawyer, Legal Aid’s Gillian Bilton, argued he should be released on bail as holding him in custody was “not necessarily going to benefit” vulnerable community members such as him.

She said “there is clearly a need for Mr Atem to engage in community support” to help him deal with his “underlying risk factors”.

Mr Atem knew the family living there as they had helped him since he arrived in Australia, the court heard.

The court also heard Mr Atem and the family are from the same tribe in South Sudan.

Prosecutor Corinne Kennedy opposed bail, arguing it would protect the alleged victims and the wider community.

The alleged assault was “an explosive act of violence” that was “certainly disproportionate to whatever might have come beforehand”, she said.

“The victims were also exceedingly vulnerable members of the community,” she said.

Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker refused bail, finding there would be a “very significant risk to members of the community” if he were released.

Mr Atem is scheduled to appear before the Magistrates Court on 19 September and has yet to enter a plea.

ACT Policing is asking any drivers with dash-cam footage from the area around Ranken Loop, Totterdell Street or Luxton Street in Belconnen from 12:30 pm to 2 pm on 23 August to come forward by contacting Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Quote 7831948. Information can be provided anonymously.