A man who fatally stabbed a British father of two in a parking lot in Australia will not face trial. Royce Mallett, hailing from County Durham, was attacked while seated in a car outside the Hume Inn Motel in Albury, New South Wales, in July 2024. The assailant, David Summers-Smith, was diagnosed with schizophrenia and was experiencing psychotic symptoms during the incident.

Although Summers-Smith pleaded not guilty to the murder due to mental impairment, a judge ruled that he did commit the crime but was not criminally responsible for it. The court revealed that the two individuals were strangers staying at the same motel when Summers-Smith approached Mallett’s vehicle and fatally stabbed him with a knife.

Describing the attack as catastrophic and tragic, Supreme Court Justice Dina Yehia highlighted that Summers-Smith had purchased the weapon shortly before the assault. Despite the efforts of bystanders and emergency services, Mallett succumbed to his injuries soon after the incident.

Reports indicated that Summers-Smith, aged 29, had a history of schizophrenia and was not responsive to medication. He had a substance abuse issue and harbored delusional beliefs, lacking insight into his condition and required treatment. Consequently, Justice Yehia ordered Summers-Smith to be detained indefinitely in a mental health facility.

In an emotional victim impact statement, Caitlin O’Keeffe, Mallett’s partner, expressed the profound emotional and financial toll his death had on the family. She noted the daunting task of raising their children alone and the void left by Mallett’s absence in their lives.

Mallett’s father, Roy, described losing not only his son but also his closest companion. He lamented the loss of shared hobbies and the struggle to find motivation post his son’s demise. Summers-Smith will be subject to monitoring by the Mental Health Review Tribunal for any potential progress, with the option to reassess his detention order.