Man, 75, allegedly attacked by Damian Adams with cricket bat at Mentone charity shop

A Melbourne man accused of attacking a 75-year-old with a cricket bat was allegedly out on bail for the assault of another elderly stranger, a court has been told.

Damian Adams, 30, was charged with attempted armed robbery, assault and affray overnight on Tuesday after an alleged violent incident outside a Salvos charity store on Florence St in Mentone the evening prior.

Police allege Mr Adams was seen stealing from a charity bin and confronted by a 75-year-old man before arming himself with a cricket bat and attacking the elderly stranger.

It’s further alleged he demanded the man hand over his phone before passers-by intervened and restrained him.

Mr Adams’ bid to be released on bail was knocked back by magistrate Brett Sonnet in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday afternoon.

Mr Sonnet said Mr Adams’ case was a “par exemple” for recent bail reforms in Victoria that underlined the protection of the community as a key consideration.

“In my view the prosecution have amply demonstrated the applicant is an unacceptable risk,” he said.

Giving evidence during the hearing, Detective Leading Senior Constable Daniel Sealey said it was alleged Mr Adams was wanted by police on four warrants for bail breaches at the time of the alleged offending.

The court was told Mr Adams was on bail for a separate alleged attack on an elderly man on March 10 at the Highett railway station in which he allegedly punched the man multiple times in the face for “making his dog angry” before bystanders intervened.

Constable Sealey said the 75-year-old man had since been discharged from hospital after being diagnosed with a concussion and was “resting up” at home.

“He has no anger towards the applicant but he does not want to see other people assaulted due to the applicant’s actions,” Constable Sealey said.

Constable Sealey gave evidence Mr Adams admitted to being present and possessing a cricket bat but declined to comment about the alleged assault.

Mr Adams, the court was told, denied making any demands for the man’s phone but “stated he told the complainant to not take photos of him and to delete the photos”.

The accused man’s lawyer told the court that Mr Adams had no criminal record and his first night in custody had been a “salutary experience”.