Viki Graham, 46, allegedly attacked Brett Jones with a hammer over a dispute about her brother's ashes. Photo / Facebook
Viki Graham, 46, allegedly attacked Brett Jones with a hammer over a dispute about her brother's ashes. Photo / Facebook
A woman who allegedly attacked a man with a hammer at a Sydney hospital told responding officers she “smashed him” over a dispute regarding the possession of her brother’s ashes.
Viki Graham, 46, appeared in Bail Division Court on Thursday afternoon, where she was refused bail over a single chargeof wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The Balmain pub worker entered the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital just after midnight on Thursday morning, where she allegedly made her way to the room of 63-year-old Brett Jones and attacked him with a hammer.
Graham then allegedly attempted to escape through a pair of exit doors but was unable to because they were locked.
She was arrested by responding police officers, who took her to Newtown Police station, where she was formally charged with the offence.
Graham appeared in Bail Division Court under police guard, wearing an oversized black poncho and sporting a short bleach-blonde haircut.
Justice Deborah Sweeney said Graham was captured on CCTV “going up through the disabled ramp door” before immediately making her way to the ward where the victim had been staying since January.
“The facts are extraordinary … [Graham] attends [the hospital] in the early morning, she is asked by the night nurse to leave because it is not visiting hours. Despite being told she cannot … she walks to the victim … she pulled out a hammer with a pink handle and struck Mr Jones,” Judge Sweeney said.
“She admits, ‘I smashed him with a hammer’, saying ‘he stole my brother’s ashes’,” she said.
“This is a matter in which Ms Graham comes before the court with what was seemingly an unprovoked and gratuitously violent attack. There are no conditions that could be imposed that would address the bail concerns.”
Graham was refused bail and is due to appear before court again on June 4.
Jones remains in hospital in critical condition.
NSW’s shadow health minister Sarah Mitchell said the incident was “shocking”, adding: “Our hospitals are meant to be places of care, not crime scenes.”
On Thursday morning, Sydney Local Health District CEO Deb Willcox confirmed staff at the hospital had spoken to Graham before the incident took place.
NSW Health has emphasised hospital safety and is assisting police investigations into an attack on a patient. Photo / Facebook
“I am advised the staff did speak to the person who came into the ward and there was no issue,” Willcox said.
“This is a very big hospital … staff do whatever they can to accommodate loved ones and friends and family who may come at different times of the day and night.
“Our patient was in a four-bedded bay in one of our general wards in the main hospital. The hospital ward had a number of other patients in our care … people are a bit rattled and distressed.”
Willcox said the hospital used a 24/7 security service and staff at all levels did “everything that was appropriate”.
She also said people should still feel safe to go to the hospital.
In a statement, NSW Sydney Local Health District confirmed the alleged attack and said no other injuries were reported.
“The safety and wellbeing of our patients and staff across Sydney Local Health District are our highest priority and any form of violence in our hospitals is unacceptable,” the statement read.
“This matter is now the subject of an ongoing NSW Police investigation.
“Sydney Local Health District is working with NSW Police to assist their inquiries … [and] is also offering support to staff who witnessed this distressing incident.”
Sign up to Herald Premium Editor’s Picks, delivered straight to your inbox every Friday. Editor-in-Chief Murray Kirkness picks the week’s best features, interviews and investigations. Sign up for Herald Premium here.
