Update for man accused of stabbing frenzy
A man has been charged with breaching an apprehended violence order when he allegedly stabbed his partner with a box cutter before turning on bystanders who attempted to intervene.
Police allege Antony Benson stabbed his partner with the box cutter inside his white Jaguar before crashing into a blue Mitsubishi Lancer on the Princes Highway before 9am on August 25.
Emergency services rushed to the crash site near Engadine, in Sydney’s south, and found the 58-year-old had allegedly also turned the weapon on three others and himself.
He was due to appear before Sutherland Local Court on Monday to apply for bail after being charged with a string of offences, including causing grievous bodily harm to someone with intent to murder.
However, he was represented by a Legal Aid solicitor who withdrew the bail application.
Magistrate Philip Stewart adjourned the matter until October 22.
Mr Benson was initially charged with eight offences related to the dramatic crash and allegedly violent aftermath.
However, court documents revealed on Monday that the 58-year-old was now facing a ninth charge of breaching an apprehended violence order that was in place at the time of the incident.
It’s alleged bystanders who witnessed the crash tried to intervene as Mr Benson continued his frenzied stabbing attack on his 48-year-old partner after the crash.
A 67-year-old man sustained a 20cm laceration to his abdomen when he ran to the woman’s aid and a police officer was seriously injured after Mr Benson allegedly attempted to flee on foot. Both alleged victims required stitches.
Mr Benson has also been charged with assaulting Cronulla Sharks chairman Steve Mace, who was allegedly in a nearby car and attempted to assist the 48-year-old woman.
Police claim Mr Benson inflicted wounds on himself before he was tasered, taken into custody and rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
The 20-year-old driver of the Lancer was also taken to hospital after her wrist was broken in the crash, which police allege was caused by Mr Benson driving dangerously.
Mr Benson will remain in custody on remand until he returns to court next month.
