Ablett bashing accused dies
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 1:55 pm(From The Advertiser - 11/7/06)
Ablett bashing accused dies
11jul06
A GEELONG man accused of bashing former AFL star Gary Ablett has died.
Vyasa Ofthsea, 31, of Newtown, Geelong, was due to appear in Geelong Magistrates' Court today for a contest mention over the charges, but they were struck out when told he had died overnight.
It is believed Mr Ofthsea committed suicide.
Outside the court, his solicitor, Margie Bourke, said the mental health system had let her client down.
"I don't think it's the fault of the criminal justice system," she said. "I don't think there was any error in granting him bail.
"The problem is that our mental health system is so inadequate and so unable to deal with people in crisis that he just slipped through."
Mr Ofthsea, of West Fyans Street, was granted bail on July 3 under conditions, including the requirement that he stay away from and make no attempt to contact Mr Ablett.
Bail for the charges relating to the alleged attack on Mr Ablett was initially denied, but Magistrate Kay Robertson granted bail on the condition that Mr Ofthsea stay away from Mr Ablett, remain at his present address and seek drug and alcohol counselling from Barwon Health within 24 hours.
The Geelong Magistrates Court was told that Mr Ablett was looking at cars in a South Geelong car yard about 11.15pm on June 26 when he was allegedly attacked.
The incident occurred two days after Mr Ofthsea had been bailed for an alleged burglary and assault on his former partner.
Ablett bashing accused dies
11jul06
A GEELONG man accused of bashing former AFL star Gary Ablett has died.
Vyasa Ofthsea, 31, of Newtown, Geelong, was due to appear in Geelong Magistrates' Court today for a contest mention over the charges, but they were struck out when told he had died overnight.
It is believed Mr Ofthsea committed suicide.
Outside the court, his solicitor, Margie Bourke, said the mental health system had let her client down.
"I don't think it's the fault of the criminal justice system," she said. "I don't think there was any error in granting him bail.
"The problem is that our mental health system is so inadequate and so unable to deal with people in crisis that he just slipped through."
Mr Ofthsea, of West Fyans Street, was granted bail on July 3 under conditions, including the requirement that he stay away from and make no attempt to contact Mr Ablett.
Bail for the charges relating to the alleged attack on Mr Ablett was initially denied, but Magistrate Kay Robertson granted bail on the condition that Mr Ofthsea stay away from Mr Ablett, remain at his present address and seek drug and alcohol counselling from Barwon Health within 24 hours.
The Geelong Magistrates Court was told that Mr Ablett was looking at cars in a South Geelong car yard about 11.15pm on June 26 when he was allegedly attacked.
The incident occurred two days after Mr Ofthsea had been bailed for an alleged burglary and assault on his former partner.
