Grandmother allegedly attacked by stranger issues message for Australia – as the man accused of attack loses it at judge inside court: ‘Are you deaf?’

By MAX ALDRED FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 05:01 BST, 1 May 2025 | Updated: 05:52 BST, 1 May 2025

A homeless man who allegedly assaulted an elderly woman has lashed out at a magistrate in court.

Sean Lloyd McLachlan, 39, was arrested on Wednesday after he allegedly beat the 92-year-old woman in Williamstown, Melbourne, at about 12.20pm outside a Coles supermarket.

Police allege he beat the woman about the head before she fell to the ground and lost consciousness.

Members of the public restrained McLachlan until police could arrive. 

Detectives later charged McLachlan with intentionally causing injury.

McLachlan appeared on his own in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Magistrate Bernard FitzGerald asked if McLachlan had talked to a lawyer.

McLachlan muttered a soft ‘yes’, but Magistrate FitzGerald did not hear him, and he asked again.

A Melbourne man allegedly approached an elderly lady before striking her on Wednesday

Sean Lloyd McLachlan, 39, was arrested on Wednesday after he allegedly beat the 92-year-old woman in Williamstown, Melbourne 

‘I just said I’ve already f***ing spoken (to a lawyer). Are you deaf? Are your ears painted on,’ McLachlan said, the Herald Sun reported.

Magistrate FitzGerald asked what McLachlan had hoped to achieve in the courtroom on Thursday. 

‘F*** off,’ McLachlan said. 

The 39-year-old did not apply for bail, and the matter was adjourned for a week with the court allowing him time to arrange legal representation.

He will reappear in court on May 8.  

Footage, allegedly depicting the incident, captured the moment the man struck the elderly woman and threw her to the ground. 

Further vision, too distressing for publication, appeared to show him throwing her to the ground and dragging her along the footpath. 

The woman sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the alleged attack

She suffered a concussion and upper body injuries in the alleged attack and was taken to Western Hospital in Footscray before she was discharged on Thursday morning. 

The woman has been left ‘very distressed’ by the incident. 

‘I wish to thank all those who have been so caring of me,’ she said in a statement.

‘I remember nothing of the actual incident but when I woke up I was surrounded by the police and ambulance and caring onlookers.

‘I wish to thank everyone for their concern.

‘I’m pleased to go home as I have a loving family and supportive friends.’

McLachlan has no fixed address but was known to police in Footscray, Melbourne and Williamstown.

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Grandmother allegedly attacked by stranger issues message for Australia – as the man accused of attack loses it at judge inside court: ‘Are you deaf?’

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