An elderly man accused of murder has had his case put off for six months because lawyers can’t secure a mental health report any sooner. Ronald George Sparkes, 89, is accused of murdering his 87-year-old wife Margaret Sparkes in a retirement village at The Basin, in Melbourne’s southeast, last May. He was initially being held in custody, but his lawyer told Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday that he was now on bail and living in a nursing home. She said he had become “very unwell” in custody and had been hospitalised for physical and mental health issues, prompting his release. Magistrate Donna Bakos said Sparkes’ case should be handed straight to the Supreme Court, bypassing the usual committal stage in the lower court. That has occurred in a large number of cases as courts try to work around coronavirus-related delays. But the case will instead return to the Magistrates Court in late-September because Sparkes’ lawyers are waiting for a report from Forensicare, a forensic mental health care group. The court heard the organisation is closed and staff have been doing remote assessments and interviews, which has created a six-month delay. Ms Bakos ordered Sparkes to appear in court, either in person or by video, in September.
April 14, 2020
Helping Hand Aged Care has a s.394 (Application for unfair dismissal remedy) with which it must deal before Deputy President Anderson in chambers in Adelaide (Watson).
April 14, 2020
Cancer Council Victoria has a s.739 (Application to deal with a dispute) issue set for resolution before Deputy President Millhouse in chambers in Victoria (Beesley).
April 14, 2020
St John Ambulance has slammed the actions of two men who allegedly assaulted volunteers after a drunken incident in Leonora on Monday. Leonora Police yesterday took two men into custody and enforced a takeaway alcohol sales ban until at least Thursday due to a fight in Leonora which resulted in emergency services personnel being verbally and physically assaulted. Both men, one from Kalgoorlie-Boulder and another from Perth, have been charged with assault. St John Country Ambulance Operations head Justin Fonte labelled the assault “abhorrent” and “unacceptable”.
April 14, 2020
A s.185 (Enterprise agreement) application from Invocare Pty Limited for the Invocare Australia Pty Ltd NSW Funerals Industry Enterprise Agreement 2019 has been ratified by Deputy President Cross in Sydney on 7 April 2020.
April 9, 2020
Mi-Life Victoria has a s.372 (Application to deal with other contravention disputes) to defend in front of Deputy President Clancy at 3.30pm (Australian Eastern Standard Time (Vic Time)) (Russell).
April 9, 2020
Coffs Harbour Support Services Inc is facing a s.394 (Application for unfair dismissal remedy) in front of Deputy President Saunders at Level 3, 237 Wharf Road, Newcastle at non (Maylor).
April 9, 2020
Silver Chain Group Limited has a s.372 (Application to deal with other contravention disputes) before Deputy President Beaumont in chambers in Perth (Howe).
