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Mental health of alleged DV murderer to be examined

By AAP Newswire

Mar 29, 2023

Burwood court house (file image) — A man has faced Burwood Local Court accused of a domestic violence murder. -AAP Image

A case against an alleged murderer accused of stabbing his victim in a domestic violence attack may not go to trial as his mental health fitness is assessed.

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Paul Wayne Banks was charged after a man was found stabbed in a home in Sydney's southwest and later passed away.Â

The 59-year-old appeared at Burwood Local Court on Wednesday charged with one count of murder and one count of wounding with intent to cause serious bodily harm.

Defence lawyer Jessica Abi Khattar told Magistrate Andrew Miller that her client would see a neuropsychologist on April 18.

She said, if the report found Banks was not fit to be tried, he would apply to hold a special mental health fitness hearing in the NSW Supreme Court.

Banks was arrested on May 28 last year after police responded to reports of a stabbing at a home in the Sydney suburb of Sefton.

A 63-year-old was found on-site with stab wounds to the neck. He was taken to Liverpool Hospital in a serious condition and later died.

Banks has been refused bail and remains in custody.

The matter will next come before Burwood Local Court on May 31.

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By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press