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A man charged with murder following an early morning incident at Queens Park Railway Station in southeast Perth was transferred to a mental hospital after appearing in court.
Lex Gerald Pickett is accused of fatally assaulting 70-year-old Allan Dennis Thomas on Monday around 6:00 a.m..
Mr Thomas, who had a disability and was on his way to work at Good Sammy’s, was taken to the Royal Perth Hospital but later died.
After being assessed by a mental health nurse, he was ordered to be taken to a mental hospital for review.
Mr. Pickett will stay at the facility until he appears in the Washington Supreme Court next week.
Mr. Thomas has been described as a « gentle » and « kind » man who would not have hurt anyone.
His good Sammy colleagues kept a minute’s silence for him this morning and decorated the baler he was using with flowers as a tribute.
Melanie Kiely, General Manager of Good Sammy Enterprises, also paid tribute to Mr. Thomas, a long-time employee of the charity’s Canning Vale facility.
« Absolutely devastated and heartbroken – many of you have worked with Allan for decades, » said Ms. Kiely.
Mr. Thomas recently worked on the baler and compressed clothes into bales – a job that required strength and skill.
« Each of us should feel safe, comfortable, and secure in the community, [especially] for someone like Allan, who fought so hard to overcome disabilities, become independent, and live our own lives.
« We hear a number of stories about this station and this area from our staff and if so we would really like to see action.
« Our vulnerable – whether they are old, whether they are children or whether they are people with disabilities – should feel especially safe in the community. «
« He didn’t talk a lot, you know, but he was very friendly and always had a smile for everyone.
« It was a great shock that something so terrible would happen to you.
« Mr. Thomas was loved by friends and neighbors. It is a very tragic event, « he said.
« [He] sustained some injuries which [allegedly] resulted in some kicks in the head and torso while [he] was on the ground.
« It is not a tragedy that is common in Perth, but unfortunately it has occurred and one person has now been charged with murder, » he said.
« This seems like a one-off . . . we don’t want other people on their way to work to have additional concerns. «
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AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time, 10 hours before GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)
Railway Station, Perth, Queens Park
World News – AU – Police claim a 70-year-old disabled man was « savagely » murdered on his way to work at the railway station
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Ref: https://www.abc.net.au