Man who allegedly tried to kill former neighbour with knife has bail refused

A man who allegedly attempted to kill his former neighbour by trying to stab him in the head wanted to get out of custody on day bail to collect “sentimental” items from his old home.

Jay Lindsay Curtis-Hodge, 39, has been charged with attempted murder over an alleged incident at Havelock House, an affordable and specialist housing complex in central Canberra.

According to court documents, Curtis-Hodge was allegedly one of several men in a communal kitchen at about 9:40 pm on 25 March 2024 when another man entered the room.

Curtis-Hodge allegedly immediately punched this man three times, causing him to bleed from his mouth and nose.

He then allegedly picked up a 30 centimetre kitchen knife and stabbed at the man several times, saying something like, “I’m going to kill you”.

When Curtis-Hodge allegedly stabbed at the man’s neck, the alleged victim put his left hand up to block the attack. He reportedly suffered a deep cut to his hand, which caused blood to pool on the kitchen floor.

Curtis-Hodge reportedly fled the scene on foot while the alleged victim was taken to hospital for treatment.

Curtis-Hodge appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on (27 June), where he sought day bail so he could collect his belongings from the Turner address, although the prosecutor opposed this application.

He told the court these items included kids clothing and toys, a television unit, items belonging to a dead grandmother and a dining table.

“Like, there’s heaps of things,” he said.

Defence lawyer Bol Mathiang of Peter Agoth & Associates said there was no one else who could collect the “sentimental” items on Curtis-Hodge’s behalf.

“He’s got no other support out in the community,” he said.

Curtis-Hodge’s family lives in the Riverina region of NSW.

He told the court he had until 30 June (Sunday) to collect his belongings from Havelock House before they were disposed of, although staff at the complex would not be there on weekends, meaning he likely would have to visit on Friday.

However, prior to his arrest, the court heard he had been living in an Oaks Estate address for six weeks with his partner.

But Magistrate Jane Campbell refused bail, saying that a six-week period since moving to Oaks Estate should have been enough time for Curtis-Hodge to collect his belongings.

“The usual situation is that when someone goes into custody, they are unable to collect their belongings,” she said.

“Given the most serious offence occurred at Havelock House, I wouldn’t be allowing Curtis-Hodge to attend at that address, at any event.”

The matter will return to court. It is unclear if a plea had been entered.