Fed: Man accused of attacking woman to undergo mental assessment

AAP General News (Australia)
08-24-2007
Fed: Man accused of attacking woman to undergo mental assessment

EDS: Changes keyword from HEADBUTT



CANBERRA, Aug 24 AAP - A man accused of attacking an elderly woman who later died has
been ordered to undergo a mental health assessment.

Matthew Raymond Nicholls, 31, from Ainslie in Canberra appeared in the ACT Magistrates
Court today facing a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The man allegedly shoulder-charged a 71-year-old woman in the Canberra Centre shopping
complex yesterday morning.

The woman sat down in a seat before staggering to a nearby music shop and suffering
an apparent heart attack.

She was taken to the Calvary Hospital by ambulance where she was pronounced dead a
short time later.

Nicholls refused legal aid, and Magistrate Beth Campbell ordered him to see a mental
health officer before proceeding.

Prosecutors opposed bail.

Ms Campbell put off the case until later in the day.

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KEYWORD: NICHOLLS (CHANGES KEYWORD)

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