A Victorian man will appear at Young Local Court next month, after he was refused bail yesterday for an unprovoked attack on a 67-year-old woman on the XTP passenger train.
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Stan Churilov, 29, has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
According to police, the woman was reading a book when she was approached by Churilov who, without any conversation, punched her in the face.
Churilov was detained by the alleged victim's husband and another passenger.
Police officers and paramedics boarded the train at Harden.
The woman was taken to The Canberra Hospital to be treated.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Priscilla Jones told the court the woman suffered four major facial fractures and had glass in her eye from smashed reading glasses.
Sergeant Jones said the injuries would require "significant surgical correction".
In opposing Churilov's bail application, Sergeant Jones said there were unacceptable risks that could not be mitigated if Churilov was granted bail.
The risks included Churilov not returning to Wagga for court and danger to the community.
"It is a vicious attack on a particularly vulnerable person, a grandmother sitting on a seat on a train," Sergeant Jones said.
Before his court appearance, Churilov was assessed by the court's clinical nurse consultant.
She wrote a report for the court that raised mental health issues, including schizophrenia.
Applying for bail on Churilov's behalf, solicitor Robert Hussey described the allegations against Churilov as bizarre and unusual.
"There is no reason to explain why the attack took place," Mr Hussey said.
He said if Churilov was granted bail he could live with an uncle in Melbourne, report to police and see medical practitioners about his mental health issues.
"He tells me he has family transport to get to NSW," Mr Hussey said.
After considering the submissions, magistrate Michael Antrum said the case against Churilov appeared to be overwhelming.
He said Churilov says he takes medication from time to time for schizophrenia, but when he is not in custody compliance "is not so good".
In refusing bail, Mr Antrum agreed the risks identified by Sergeant Jones could not be mitigated.
Churilov will remain in custody until the case is mentioned in Young Local Court on October 7 for a reply to the brief of evidence.
Churilov has not entered a plea to the charge.
-The Daily Advertiser
