An apprentice plumber who allegedly bashed the son of Australian rock singer Angry Anderson to death will spend Christmas behind bars.
Mathew Flame, 20, was charged with murder on Monday over the death of his close friend Liam Anderson, 26, on Sydney’s northern beaches on Sunday morning.
Flame appeared at Manly Local Court on Monday afternoon, where he didn’t apply for bail, which was formally refused until his next court appearance on January 29.
Liam Anderson (lower right) and his alleged attacker Mathew Flame (top right) were ‘obsessed with each other’ according to friends
In court, Flame smiled and blew a kiss to his mother, who mouthed ‘I love you’ and sobbed as she was comforted by friends, the ABC reported.
A family friend told the ABC that Flame’s mother visited him in the police cell on Monday morning, describing him as ‘traumatised and in a state of complete shock’.
His mother didn’t comment to media as she left court.
His lawyer, Charles Waterstreet, asked the court if his client could undergo a mental health assessment while in custody, along with a medical assessment for injuries sustained on Sunday.
The court also heard that Flame had no previous criminal history.
His lawyer told reporters outside court afterwards that the two men were ‘best friends’ since childhood and it was a ‘just incredibly sad’ for the two families.
A handcuffed Mathew Flame (pictured) appeared in court on Monday, where he was refused bail until his next court appearance on January 29.
‘What has happened is lightning has struck twice on two individuals and their families and it’s a double tragedy,’ Mr Waterstreet said.
‘It’s a double tragedy for two very, very good families and two very, very good boys.’
When asked how his client is feeling, Mr Waterstreet said: ‘Everyone is devastated’.
Flame was arrested on Sunday morning after emergency services allegedly found him forcefully beating Mr Anderson at Queenscliff after the pair left a house party together.
Mathew Flame (right) is accused of bashing his close friend Liam Anderson (left) to death on Sunday morning after going into an MDMA induced psychosis
When police arrived, it’s alleged they struggled to get Mr Anderson’s attacker off him, and had to use pepper spray to separate the men.
Mr Anderson’s facial injuries were so severe that he was barely recognisable by the time police were able to separate the men.
Mr Anderson was treated at the scene, but died en route to hospital.
It’s understood Flame was in an MDMA-induced psychosis at the time of the alleged attack and didn’t know what had happened until he woke up in hospital under police guard.
Ryan Walsh told Daily Mail Australia Flame had been working for him as an apprentice plumber for ‘about a year’ and had never been any trouble.
‘He’s pretty placid at work,’ he said. ‘[I’m] a bit shocked.’
Only hours after a night out, police allegedly found Flame (left) beating his friend to death
Anderson regularly posted on social media about his alleged attacker calling him a ‘brother’.
The pair were in a recent Facebook post together at the Defqon1 music festival in September, with Liam posting a ‘shout’ to Flame ‘for being a real one, love ya mate x’.
A spokesperson for the Flame family told The Australian they regarded Mr Anderson as ‘part of their family’, and said Flame’s actions were completely out of character.
‘Matt has never been violent in any way and as the circumstances will be unfolded in court we hope to prove to the public and the court there are two victims here, and two devastated families,’ they said.
Mr Anderson has been remembered as a humble, down to earth man with a kind soul, and ‘one of the realest to walk this earth’.
Police were called to the ‘brutal and bloody’ park where Liam Anderson, 26, was found on Sunday morning. He died en route to hospital
‘You always told me to be myself no matter what and you helped me see the light when no one else could,’ one man wrote.
‘You are the most positive bro I think I’ve ever met. Rest up my brother, I’m gonna miss you.’
Many recalled his talent as a rapper, and his pure attitude towards his art.
‘I remember talking to him about the joy of busking and connecting with random people on the street,’ one man wrote.
‘There’s a certain few you meet over the years that really stick with you, this fella had a really good soul.’
Liam Anderson (pictured, left with father Gary, better known as rocker Angry Anderson) was unconscious and suffering from head wounds so severe he was barely recognisable when emergency crews arrived
On Monday, friends met at the Pavilion Reserve park, where Mr Anderson was killed and left flowers and a moving note behind.
‘Liam, there are no words to express our sorrow in losing you,’ it read.
‘Our tears we can wipe away – the ache in our hearts will always stay.
‘Beautiful Liam now rest in peace.
‘We will always miss your funny, cheeky ways.
‘You were a loving friend and a great mate.
‘All our love. Casey, Emma, Barb, Tony, Rach, Jas, Nick, Rhys and Brad. XXX.’
Liam Anderson’s grieving friends met at Pavilion Reserve on Monday, where they left floral tributes and notes expressing their devastation
A statement on behalf of Angry Anderson issued on Sunday afternoon, confirmed the death of his youngest child but requested privacy.
He has since touched down in Sydney after dashing back from Western Australia, where his band Rose Tattoo had been touring their 40th anniversary show.
9 News captured police visiting the grieving father at his Beacon Hill home on Monday, where he was updated on the latest details regarding his son’s death.
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