'Came from behind': 91yo driver lost control, one dead
A woman, 59, died at the scene of the crash in Wantirna South in Melbourne's east on Thursday,
Victoria Police have not yet revealed the connection between the three victims, but they are believed to be related.
A Toyota Yaris, driven by a 91-year-old woman, mounted a footpath, went through a fence and hit a bench.
The driver was treated for minor injuries in hospital and was still to be interviewed by detectives as of Friday morning.
Superintendent Justin Goldsmith said the adults and child were walking in the same direction as the car was travelling when it struck them.
"It came from behind," Supt Goldsmith told reporters.
"It looks like it's (lost control) about 40m or 50m before the collision with the people who were walking on the other side of that road."
The out-of-control car continued down the road for another 200m, hitting a street sign and smashing through a fence before coming to a stop near a playground.
"No one was hit at the park, thankfully," Supt Goldsmith said.
The driver, who was "terribly shaken", had minor scratches and was taken to hospital for assessment and blood testing.
Police will look at whether speed was a contributing factor.
"That will be subject to the investigation, but it is downhill section of road, so if there has been a lack of control to some degree there is a possibility the car would have picked up speed as it's driven further down Coleman Rd," Supt Goldsmith said.
The crash happened during the first week of Victorian school holidays, bringing the state's road toll to 14 in the last seven days.
"We're facing a horrific month for road trauma," Supt Goldsmith said.
The state has recorded a number of deadly crashes involving out-of-control vehicles in recent years.
In November, a kindergarten worker was killed and a three-year-old boy was injured when a runaway truck smashed through the gate of Macedon Ranges preschool's playground.
Two weeks earlier, an 11-year-old boy was killed and four other students injured when an SUV crashed through a fence at Auburn South Primary School in Melbourne's east.
Five people were killed and six injured in November 2023 when a diabetic driver passed out behind the wheel and crashed into patrons seated outside the Royal Daylesford Hotel.
The driver was charged but the allegations were ultimately struck out after a magistrate found there was not enough evidence to support a conviction.
In 2024, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners called for Victoria to introduce age-based regulations for drivers in line with other jurisdictions like NSW, Queensland, ACT, Tasmania and the Northern Territory, which require drivers over 75 to have a health check.
The age is 80 in Western Australia, while older drivers in South Australia must complete self-assessments.
At the time, the Victorian government rejected the call, saying drivers aged 75 already had to renew their licence every three years, which could include various tests.
A toddler is in a stable condition in hospital while a man is fighting for life after an elderly driver lost control of her car and struck three pedestrians near a playground.
A woman, 59, died at the scene of the crash in Wantirna South in Melbourne's east on Thursday,
Victoria Police have not yet revealed the connection between the three victims, but they are believed to be related.
A Toyota Yaris, driven by a 91-year-old woman, mounted a footpath, went through a fence and hit a bench.
The driver was treated for minor injuries in hospital and was still to be interviewed by detectives as of Friday morning.
Superintendent Justin Goldsmith said the adults and child were walking in the same direction as the car was travelling when it struck them.
"It came from behind," Supt Goldsmith told reporters.
"It looks like it's (lost control) about 40m or 50m before the collision with the people who were walking on the other side of that road."
The out-of-control car continued down the road for another 200m, hitting a street sign and smashing through a fence before coming to a stop near a playground.
"No one was hit at the park, thankfully," Supt Goldsmith said.
The driver, who was "terribly shaken", had minor scratches and was taken to hospital for assessment and blood testing.
Police will look at whether speed was a contributing factor.
"That will be subject to the investigation, but it is downhill section of road, so if there has been a lack of control to some degree there is a possibility the car would have picked up speed as it's driven further down Coleman Rd," Supt Goldsmith said.
The crash happened during the first week of Victorian school holidays, bringing the state's road toll to 14 in the last seven days.
"We're facing a horrific month for road trauma," Supt Goldsmith said.
The state has recorded a number of deadly crashes involving out-of-control vehicles in recent years.
In November, a kindergarten worker was killed and a three-year-old boy was injured when a runaway truck smashed through the gate of Macedon Ranges preschool's playground.
Two weeks earlier, an 11-year-old boy was killed and four other students injured when an SUV crashed through a fence at Auburn South Primary School in Melbourne's east.
Five people were killed and six injured in November 2023 when a diabetic driver passed out behind the wheel and crashed into patrons seated outside the Royal Daylesford Hotel.
The driver was charged but the allegations were ultimately struck out after a magistrate found there was not enough evidence to support a conviction.
In 2024, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners called for Victoria to introduce age-based regulations for drivers in line with other jurisdictions like NSW, Queensland, ACT, Tasmania and the Northern Territory, which require drivers over 75 to have a health check.
The age is 80 in Western Australia, while older drivers in South Australia must complete self-assessments.
At the time, the Victorian government rejected the call, saying drivers aged 75 already had to renew their licence every three years, which could include various tests.
A toddler is in a stable condition in hospital while a man is fighting for life after an elderly driver lost control of her car and struck three pedestrians near a playground.
A woman, 59, died at the scene of the crash in Wantirna South in Melbourne's east on Thursday,
Victoria Police have not yet revealed the connection between the three victims, but they are believed to be related.
A Toyota Yaris, driven by a 91-year-old woman, mounted a footpath, went through a fence and hit a bench.
The driver was treated for minor injuries in hospital and was still to be interviewed by detectives as of Friday morning.
Superintendent Justin Goldsmith said the adults and child were walking in the same direction as the car was travelling when it struck them.
"It came from behind," Supt Goldsmith told reporters.
"It looks like it's (lost control) about 40m or 50m before the collision with the people who were walking on the other side of that road."
The out-of-control car continued down the road for another 200m, hitting a street sign and smashing through a fence before coming to a stop near a playground.
"No one was hit at the park, thankfully," Supt Goldsmith said.
The driver, who was "terribly shaken", had minor scratches and was taken to hospital for assessment and blood testing.
Police will look at whether speed was a contributing factor.
"That will be subject to the investigation, but it is downhill section of road, so if there has been a lack of control to some degree there is a possibility the car would have picked up speed as it's driven further down Coleman Rd," Supt Goldsmith said.
The crash happened during the first week of Victorian school holidays, bringing the state's road toll to 14 in the last seven days.
"We're facing a horrific month for road trauma," Supt Goldsmith said.
The state has recorded a number of deadly crashes involving out-of-control vehicles in recent years.
In November, a kindergarten worker was killed and a three-year-old boy was injured when a runaway truck smashed through the gate of Macedon Ranges preschool's playground.
Two weeks earlier, an 11-year-old boy was killed and four other students injured when an SUV crashed through a fence at Auburn South Primary School in Melbourne's east.
Five people were killed and six injured in November 2023 when a diabetic driver passed out behind the wheel and crashed into patrons seated outside the Royal Daylesford Hotel.
The driver was charged but the allegations were ultimately struck out after a magistrate found there was not enough evidence to support a conviction.
In 2024, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners called for Victoria to introduce age-based regulations for drivers in line with other jurisdictions like NSW, Queensland, ACT, Tasmania and the Northern Territory, which require drivers over 75 to have a health check.
The age is 80 in Western Australia, while older drivers in South Australia must complete self-assessments.
At the time, the Victorian government rejected the call, saying drivers aged 75 already had to renew their licence every three years, which could include various tests.
A toddler is in a stable condition in hospital while a man is fighting for life after an elderly driver lost control of her car and struck three pedestrians near a playground.
A woman, 59, died at the scene of the crash in Wantirna South in Melbourne's east on Thursday,
Victoria Police have not yet revealed the connection between the three victims, but they are believed to be related.
A Toyota Yaris, driven by a 91-year-old woman, mounted a footpath, went through a fence and hit a bench.
The driver was treated for minor injuries in hospital and was still to be interviewed by detectives as of Friday morning.
Superintendent Justin Goldsmith said the adults and child were walking in the same direction as the car was travelling when it struck them.
"It came from behind," Supt Goldsmith told reporters.
"It looks like it's (lost control) about 40m or 50m before the collision with the people who were walking on the other side of that road."
The out-of-control car continued down the road for another 200m, hitting a street sign and smashing through a fence before coming to a stop near a playground.
"No one was hit at the park, thankfully," Supt Goldsmith said.
The driver, who was "terribly shaken", had minor scratches and was taken to hospital for assessment and blood testing.
Police will look at whether speed was a contributing factor.
"That will be subject to the investigation, but it is downhill section of road, so if there has been a lack of control to some degree there is a possibility the car would have picked up speed as it's driven further down Coleman Rd," Supt Goldsmith said.
The crash happened during the first week of Victorian school holidays, bringing the state's road toll to 14 in the last seven days.
"We're facing a horrific month for road trauma," Supt Goldsmith said.
The state has recorded a number of deadly crashes involving out-of-control vehicles in recent years.
In November, a kindergarten worker was killed and a three-year-old boy was injured when a runaway truck smashed through the gate of Macedon Ranges preschool's playground.
Two weeks earlier, an 11-year-old boy was killed and four other students injured when an SUV crashed through a fence at Auburn South Primary School in Melbourne's east.
Five people were killed and six injured in November 2023 when a diabetic driver passed out behind the wheel and crashed into patrons seated outside the Royal Daylesford Hotel.
The driver was charged but the allegations were ultimately struck out after a magistrate found there was not enough evidence to support a conviction.
In 2024, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners called for Victoria to introduce age-based regulations for drivers in line with other jurisdictions like NSW, Queensland, ACT, Tasmania and the Northern Territory, which require drivers over 75 to have a health check.
The age is 80 in Western Australia, while older drivers in South Australia must complete self-assessments.
At the time, the Victorian government rejected the call, saying drivers aged 75 already had to renew their licence every three years, which could include various tests.
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Herald Sun
8 hours ago
- Herald Sun
Australia in grip of quiet, escalating crisis in education system
Don't miss out on the headlines from National. Followed categories will be added to My News. COMMENT Imagine this headline: '463 children protected from bullying in schools last month thanks to new safety measures.' They're thriving. Their classrooms are calm. Their teachers feel safe. But of course, you didn't read that headline — because when school systems work as they should, it doesn't make the news. What we see instead is a steady stream of disturbing accounts from Australian classrooms and schoolyards. Recent reports have revealed shocking abuse in early learning centres. At the same time, violence, bullying, and serious disruption are rising across schools. OECD data show that Australian students experience higher bullying exposure than the OECD average; none of the 24 comparison countries recorded more exposure. About one quarter of 15-year-olds report being bullied at least a few times a month, and many say they no longer feel safe at school. Discipline is also a concern. In PISA 2022, one quarter of Australian students said they could not work well in most or all lessons, and one third said students do not listen to the teacher. Overall, Australia ranked well below the OECD average for disciplinary climate, with 20 of the comparison countries recording a more favourable classroom environment. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visits a school in NSW while on the campaign trail. Picture: Jason Edwards/NewsWire Teachers, too, are under growing threat. Safe Work Australia reports that serious workers' compensation claims for assault or occupational violence rose by 56% nationally between 2017–18 and 2021–22, with Education and Training one of the highest-risk industries. In Victoria's government schools, recorded incidents of work-related violence from student behaviour toward staff increased more than fivefold in less than a decade — from 2,279 incidents in 2014–15 to 11,858 in 2023–24 (Victorian Auditor-General, 2025). The national Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey (ACU, 2023) found that almost half of principals reported being physically attacked in the previous year — a rate that has risen by 78% since 2011. Parents are also responding — withdrawing their children. Homeschooling rates are rising across Australia, often not out of ideology but as a last resort. Education settings should be safe places for children and their teachers. Increasingly, they are not. Sadly, we are facing a simple, confronting truth: Australia is in the grip of a quiet but escalating crisis in school safety. The silence around this is deafening. Australia ranks near the bottom of the OECD for classroom discipline. Picture: AAP/Dan Peled Why are students who repeatedly bully, intimidate, or physically assault others allowed to remain in mainstream classrooms, placing peers and staff at ongoing risk? Too often, the answer lies in the muddled thinking that confuses an ideological preference with an effective pedagogical intervention. Schools are encouraged to prioritise inclusion, even when they lack the support to do so safely or effectively. Exclusion is discouraged, yet the resources needed for genuine intervention — therapeutic support, specialist settings, and follow-up — are scarce or inaccessible. This doesn't just fail the victims. It fails the perpetrators, too. Keeping students with serious behavioural issues in settings that clearly aren't working, without expert help, only deepens their disengagement and risk. We need more flexible, properly resourced options — including specialist settings, mobile intervention teams, and on-demand professional support that can be allocated where and when it's needed. These aren't punishments. Done properly, they are acts of educational justice. Failing to act does not protect these students from stigma. It denies them the tailored support they need to reset, re-engage, and grow. That's not inclusion. That's neglect. Education departments and even federal education ministers often respond to rising disorder with calls for better teacher training — especially in behaviour management. The implication is subtle but clear: that the problem lies not with policy or systems, but with individual teachers who just need to learn more strategies, manage classrooms more skilfully, or toughen up. It's an argument that's convenient, but unconvincing. As a former head of teacher education programs at two Australian universities, I wonder how I may have better prepared a young female teacher so that she wasn't taunted by rape jokes or deepfake images of herself on social media. Geoff Riordan is the former Dean of Education at the University of Canberra. Picture: Supplied The serious abuse incidents that are occurring in Australian schools and preschools are not fundamentally behaviour management problems. They are systemic problems that stem from broader cultural, structural and social forces. These subtle, cumulative changes have left many of our public institutions struggling to hold ground. There has been, over time, a quiet erosion of respect for authority — not just for teachers or principals, but for parents, carers, nurses, the police and public institutions more broadly. Boundaries that once offered clarity and safety are now frequently contested or ignored. Expectations of mutual respect have been replaced, in some quarters, by demands for unconditional validation. The norms of courtesy, patience, and collective responsibility — once seen as signs of maturity — are too often dismissed as weak or outdated. If a teacher or principal has the temerity to caution or discipline a child, they may need to prepare for the possibility that the parent will confront and abuse them. This is not confined to the usual suspects – the postcodes and demographics. In the past couple of years, the prestigious private school, a short walk from where I am writing this, introduced a code of conduct - for parents! Social media has supercharged many of these dynamics. Its platforms provide unlimited affordances for outrage, bullying, exclusion, and humiliation. It's in this broader setting that schools are trying to function — and, more importantly, trying to teach. They are being asked not just to deliver curriculum, but to help children build emotional regulation, social resilience, and an understanding of right and wrong. We need public acknowledgement of the problem — not euphemisms like 'we have zero tolerance for this' - because, demonstrably, you don't. Social media has supercharged the problem. Picture: AAP/Dan Peled We need transparency in incident reporting. We need investment in targeted interventions, wraparound services, and well-supported alternative programs. We may need to look seriously at new and emerging technologies that could support more effective interventions, or alert schools to subtle changes in behaviour that may indicate a child has been bullied, abused, or is at risk of harming themselves or others. We need to ensure that teachers and students are protected not just by policies, but in practice. We also need to take a harder look at the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern how schools can respond to violence, intimidation, and abuse – by students and parents. Too often, school leaders are left navigating grey zones — expected to contain serious behavioural risks without the tools or authority to act decisively. They're caught between competing duties: to de-escalate crises, preserve inclusion, avoid liability, and protect the wellbeing of their staff and students — all at once. It's an impossible balancing act. Federal Education Minister Jason Clare visits Cabramatta Public School in western Sydney, his old primary school. John Feder/The Australian. Somewhere, right now, a teacher is being assaulted in their own classroom. A student is sitting in fear because their bully has returned to school. A young child is attending a preschool where trust has already been broken. A teacher is submitting their letter of resignation. And a parent is filling out paperwork to withdraw their child from a system that once promised safety and belonging. None of this is inevitable. But we won't read about the children who were protected from bullying or the growing number of people attracted to teaching as a profession unless we act — with clarity, courage, imagination, and a renewed commitment to the core mission of schooling: to provide a safe place for children to learn, to grow, and to be. - Geoff Riordan is an emeritus professor, a former school teacher, high school assistant principal and the former Dean of Education at the University of Canberra. In the mid-2000s, with Andrew Gonczi, he conducted major reviews of student welfare and discipline policy for the New South Wales Government, covering both public and non-government schools. He has held senior academic leadership roles and continues to advise on education practice, policy and student wellbeing. Originally published as Australia in grip of quiet, escalating crisis in education system
The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
Accused murderer claims drug altered his state of mind
A man with a neurological condition that limits his ability to move claims he was not in the right state of mind when he stabbed a woman to death. Mark Ludbrook, who uses a wheelchair due to his transverse myelitis, took the illicit drug PCE on the morning of August 3, 2023, before he allegedly murdered Autumn Baker. Ms Baker, one of Ludbrook's friends, had arrived at his Hoppers Crossing home in Melbourne's west about 1pm after he did not respond to her messages. Ludbrook's carer answered the door and the two women went inside to find the 53-year-old naked and standing in the doorway of his bedroom. The carer reported Ludbrook had been acting irrationally all morning and as they discussed what to do next, Ludbrook entered the kitchen and grabbed a steak knife. He walked back to his room and when the carer followed, she found him lying on his bed and sticking the knife into his abdomen. The carer yelled at him to stop and Ms Baker also came in, with the two women attempting to pull the knife off him. The carer left the room to grab her phone and call triple zero when she heard Ms Baker scream. The woman returned to find Ludbrook repeatedly stabbing Ms Baker, who was on her back on the floor. Ludbrook thrust the knife in the carer's direction as the woman tried to stop him, so she moved away to speak to the triple-zero call taker. Ludbrook then came out of the room naked and covered in blood so the woman ran from the house. When police arrived, Ludbrook - who was still naked - ran to the backyard but they managed to restrain him. More officers arrived to find Ms Baker's unresponsive body in the bedroom and despite attempts at resuscitation, she died at the scene. Ludbrook, who was hospitalised after the alleged murder, was found to have the drug PCE in his system. He does not deny he caused Ms Baker's death but his barrister told a Victorian Supreme Court jury her client was not in control of his actions at the time. Barrister Emily Clark said Ludbrook had taken PCE on the morning of Ms Baker's death to manage the pain from his neurological condition. But she argued his state of mind was so altered by the drug that he could not have consciously, deliberately or voluntarily carried out the killing. It was also disputed that Ludbrook held an intention to kill Ms Baker or cause her really serious injury, Ms Clark said. Intention and state of mind are two elements of murder the jury must consider before returning a verdict. Crown prosecutor Jim Shaw told jurors Ludbrook's actions were conscious and deliberate so they could find him guilty of murder. During his opening address, Mr Shaw played body-worn camera footage from the officer who discovered Ms Baker's body. He also tendered autopsy photos, which he said showed two fatal stab wounds to Ms Baker's chest, as well as several other wounds to her arms, hands and face. The trial before Justice John Champion continues. A man with a neurological condition that limits his ability to move claims he was not in the right state of mind when he stabbed a woman to death. Mark Ludbrook, who uses a wheelchair due to his transverse myelitis, took the illicit drug PCE on the morning of August 3, 2023, before he allegedly murdered Autumn Baker. Ms Baker, one of Ludbrook's friends, had arrived at his Hoppers Crossing home in Melbourne's west about 1pm after he did not respond to her messages. Ludbrook's carer answered the door and the two women went inside to find the 53-year-old naked and standing in the doorway of his bedroom. The carer reported Ludbrook had been acting irrationally all morning and as they discussed what to do next, Ludbrook entered the kitchen and grabbed a steak knife. He walked back to his room and when the carer followed, she found him lying on his bed and sticking the knife into his abdomen. The carer yelled at him to stop and Ms Baker also came in, with the two women attempting to pull the knife off him. The carer left the room to grab her phone and call triple zero when she heard Ms Baker scream. The woman returned to find Ludbrook repeatedly stabbing Ms Baker, who was on her back on the floor. Ludbrook thrust the knife in the carer's direction as the woman tried to stop him, so she moved away to speak to the triple-zero call taker. Ludbrook then came out of the room naked and covered in blood so the woman ran from the house. When police arrived, Ludbrook - who was still naked - ran to the backyard but they managed to restrain him. More officers arrived to find Ms Baker's unresponsive body in the bedroom and despite attempts at resuscitation, she died at the scene. Ludbrook, who was hospitalised after the alleged murder, was found to have the drug PCE in his system. He does not deny he caused Ms Baker's death but his barrister told a Victorian Supreme Court jury her client was not in control of his actions at the time. Barrister Emily Clark said Ludbrook had taken PCE on the morning of Ms Baker's death to manage the pain from his neurological condition. But she argued his state of mind was so altered by the drug that he could not have consciously, deliberately or voluntarily carried out the killing. It was also disputed that Ludbrook held an intention to kill Ms Baker or cause her really serious injury, Ms Clark said. Intention and state of mind are two elements of murder the jury must consider before returning a verdict. Crown prosecutor Jim Shaw told jurors Ludbrook's actions were conscious and deliberate so they could find him guilty of murder. During his opening address, Mr Shaw played body-worn camera footage from the officer who discovered Ms Baker's body. He also tendered autopsy photos, which he said showed two fatal stab wounds to Ms Baker's chest, as well as several other wounds to her arms, hands and face. The trial before Justice John Champion continues. A man with a neurological condition that limits his ability to move claims he was not in the right state of mind when he stabbed a woman to death. Mark Ludbrook, who uses a wheelchair due to his transverse myelitis, took the illicit drug PCE on the morning of August 3, 2023, before he allegedly murdered Autumn Baker. Ms Baker, one of Ludbrook's friends, had arrived at his Hoppers Crossing home in Melbourne's west about 1pm after he did not respond to her messages. Ludbrook's carer answered the door and the two women went inside to find the 53-year-old naked and standing in the doorway of his bedroom. The carer reported Ludbrook had been acting irrationally all morning and as they discussed what to do next, Ludbrook entered the kitchen and grabbed a steak knife. He walked back to his room and when the carer followed, she found him lying on his bed and sticking the knife into his abdomen. The carer yelled at him to stop and Ms Baker also came in, with the two women attempting to pull the knife off him. The carer left the room to grab her phone and call triple zero when she heard Ms Baker scream. The woman returned to find Ludbrook repeatedly stabbing Ms Baker, who was on her back on the floor. Ludbrook thrust the knife in the carer's direction as the woman tried to stop him, so she moved away to speak to the triple-zero call taker. Ludbrook then came out of the room naked and covered in blood so the woman ran from the house. When police arrived, Ludbrook - who was still naked - ran to the backyard but they managed to restrain him. More officers arrived to find Ms Baker's unresponsive body in the bedroom and despite attempts at resuscitation, she died at the scene. Ludbrook, who was hospitalised after the alleged murder, was found to have the drug PCE in his system. He does not deny he caused Ms Baker's death but his barrister told a Victorian Supreme Court jury her client was not in control of his actions at the time. Barrister Emily Clark said Ludbrook had taken PCE on the morning of Ms Baker's death to manage the pain from his neurological condition. But she argued his state of mind was so altered by the drug that he could not have consciously, deliberately or voluntarily carried out the killing. It was also disputed that Ludbrook held an intention to kill Ms Baker or cause her really serious injury, Ms Clark said. Intention and state of mind are two elements of murder the jury must consider before returning a verdict. Crown prosecutor Jim Shaw told jurors Ludbrook's actions were conscious and deliberate so they could find him guilty of murder. During his opening address, Mr Shaw played body-worn camera footage from the officer who discovered Ms Baker's body. He also tendered autopsy photos, which he said showed two fatal stab wounds to Ms Baker's chest, as well as several other wounds to her arms, hands and face. The trial before Justice John Champion continues. A man with a neurological condition that limits his ability to move claims he was not in the right state of mind when he stabbed a woman to death. Mark Ludbrook, who uses a wheelchair due to his transverse myelitis, took the illicit drug PCE on the morning of August 3, 2023, before he allegedly murdered Autumn Baker. Ms Baker, one of Ludbrook's friends, had arrived at his Hoppers Crossing home in Melbourne's west about 1pm after he did not respond to her messages. Ludbrook's carer answered the door and the two women went inside to find the 53-year-old naked and standing in the doorway of his bedroom. The carer reported Ludbrook had been acting irrationally all morning and as they discussed what to do next, Ludbrook entered the kitchen and grabbed a steak knife. He walked back to his room and when the carer followed, she found him lying on his bed and sticking the knife into his abdomen. The carer yelled at him to stop and Ms Baker also came in, with the two women attempting to pull the knife off him. The carer left the room to grab her phone and call triple zero when she heard Ms Baker scream. The woman returned to find Ludbrook repeatedly stabbing Ms Baker, who was on her back on the floor. Ludbrook thrust the knife in the carer's direction as the woman tried to stop him, so she moved away to speak to the triple-zero call taker. Ludbrook then came out of the room naked and covered in blood so the woman ran from the house. When police arrived, Ludbrook - who was still naked - ran to the backyard but they managed to restrain him. More officers arrived to find Ms Baker's unresponsive body in the bedroom and despite attempts at resuscitation, she died at the scene. Ludbrook, who was hospitalised after the alleged murder, was found to have the drug PCE in his system. He does not deny he caused Ms Baker's death but his barrister told a Victorian Supreme Court jury her client was not in control of his actions at the time. Barrister Emily Clark said Ludbrook had taken PCE on the morning of Ms Baker's death to manage the pain from his neurological condition. But she argued his state of mind was so altered by the drug that he could not have consciously, deliberately or voluntarily carried out the killing. It was also disputed that Ludbrook held an intention to kill Ms Baker or cause her really serious injury, Ms Clark said. Intention and state of mind are two elements of murder the jury must consider before returning a verdict. Crown prosecutor Jim Shaw told jurors Ludbrook's actions were conscious and deliberate so they could find him guilty of murder. During his opening address, Mr Shaw played body-worn camera footage from the officer who discovered Ms Baker's body. He also tendered autopsy photos, which he said showed two fatal stab wounds to Ms Baker's chest, as well as several other wounds to her arms, hands and face. The trial before Justice John Champion continues.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Perth Now
Accused murderer claims drug altered his state of mind
A man with a neurological condition that limits his ability to move claims he was not in the right state of mind when he stabbed a woman to death. Mark Ludbrook, who uses a wheelchair due to his transverse myelitis, took the illicit drug PCE on the morning of August 3, 2023, before he allegedly murdered Autumn Baker. Ms Baker, one of Ludbrook's friends, had arrived at his Hoppers Crossing home in Melbourne's west about 1pm after he did not respond to her messages. Ludbrook's carer answered the door and the two women went inside to find the 53-year-old naked and standing in the doorway of his bedroom. The carer reported Ludbrook had been acting irrationally all morning and as they discussed what to do next, Ludbrook entered the kitchen and grabbed a steak knife. He walked back to his room and when the carer followed, she found him lying on his bed and sticking the knife into his abdomen. The carer yelled at him to stop and Ms Baker also came in, with the two women attempting to pull the knife off him. The carer left the room to grab her phone and call triple zero when she heard Ms Baker scream. The woman returned to find Ludbrook repeatedly stabbing Ms Baker, who was on her back on the floor. Ludbrook thrust the knife in the carer's direction as the woman tried to stop him, so she moved away to speak to the triple-zero call taker. Ludbrook then came out of the room naked and covered in blood so the woman ran from the house. When police arrived, Ludbrook - who was still naked - ran to the backyard but they managed to restrain him. More officers arrived to find Ms Baker's unresponsive body in the bedroom and despite attempts at resuscitation, she died at the scene. Ludbrook, who was hospitalised after the alleged murder, was found to have the drug PCE in his system. He does not deny he caused Ms Baker's death but his barrister told a Victorian Supreme Court jury her client was not in control of his actions at the time. Barrister Emily Clark said Ludbrook had taken PCE on the morning of Ms Baker's death to manage the pain from his neurological condition. But she argued his state of mind was so altered by the drug that he could not have consciously, deliberately or voluntarily carried out the killing. It was also disputed that Ludbrook held an intention to kill Ms Baker or cause her really serious injury, Ms Clark said. Intention and state of mind are two elements of murder the jury must consider before returning a verdict. Crown prosecutor Jim Shaw told jurors Ludbrook's actions were conscious and deliberate so they could find him guilty of murder. During his opening address, Mr Shaw played body-worn camera footage from the officer who discovered Ms Baker's body. He also tendered autopsy photos, which he said showed two fatal stab wounds to Ms Baker's chest, as well as several other wounds to her arms, hands and face. The trial before Justice John Champion continues.
