A Melbourne man accused of trying to abduct a woman after stalking her in a late-night attack has a string of mental health issues, his lawyer has told a court. Kew man Daniel Cassidy-Fitzpatrick is charged with stalking, attempted abduction, intentionally cause injury, recklessly causing injury, false imprisonment and assault with intent to sexually assault.
The 30-year-old man has anxiety, depression and is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, defence lawyer Oliver Smith told the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Mr Smith said his client had never been in custody before and he urgently needed to be assessed by medical health professionals but he was not on any medication.
Mr Cassidy-Fitzpatrick appeared via a phone link from a Melbourne police station but was not visible.
His court appearance follows a week-long hunt for a man captured in CCTV in relation to the alleged abduction attempt.
Mr Cassidy-Fitzpatrick is accused of being the man who grabbed a 25-year-old woman from behind and choked her as she walked along Burwood Road in Hawthorn at 1.13am on November 22.
Detective Inspector Juliann Goldrick said it would be alleged that the woman’s attacker put on a ski mask or balaclava and waited in Henry Street for the woman to walk past him.
She alleged that a man lunged out and grabbed hold of her and tried to drag her backwards into Henry Street.
The woman screamed, struggled and then bit her attacker as he put his hand over her mouth. The bite caused him to let go and she managed to get away.
Inspector Goldrick said the woman was “shaken” and “petrified” by the incident but managed to escape without any physical injuries.
“She’s been very brave in what she did,” Inspector Goldrick said.
Police will allege that the woma was followed for about 20 minutes before the attack.
Patrols in the area to help reassure community safety after the attack was reported.
Mr Cassidy-Fitzpatrick is due to appear in court in February.
jack.paynter@news.com.au