A 41-year-old Corrimal man lit fires outside his neighbour's apartment before stabbing him with a kitchen knife, police allege.
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Alexander Vossen was arrested at 6.30am on Tuesday, and was later charged with wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He applied for bail in Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday afternoon, but it was formally refused.
Vossen's arrest came after his neighbour Anthony King fled from his home suffering stab wounds.
Vossen lives opposite Mr King on the top floor of a unit block in Birch Crescent, Corrimal.
In facts tendered to the court, police alleged that sometime between late Monday night and early Tuesday morning, Vossen began to light fires with paper in an ashtray outside Mr King's door.
About 5.30am Mr King woke up and went to extinguish the fire with water from his unit. Police allege at that time Vossen "stormed out with a kitchen knife," and began to stab Mr King while pushing him back into his unit.
Mr King was stabbed three times - twice in the shoulder and once in the lung - and ran into the street calling for help. Neighbours called an ambulance and he was taken to Wollongong Hospital.
Police arrived a short time later and arrested Vossen, who participated in a recorded interview, where police say Vossen admitted he intended to kill Mr King.
His defence solicitor told the court Vossen was diagnosed with schizophrenia 10 years ago, and as a result of his condition had not been able to work for the past eight years.
He said Vossen should be considered a vulnerable person and should have had a support person with him while the interview was recorded.
"He has a need for liberty for ongoing treatment for his schizophrenia," the solicitor told the court.
However, Magistrate Susan McGowan said granting Vossen bail would present an "enormous risk".
"He has a limited history, but I don't think any court conditions could mitigate those risks," she said.
Bail was refused, and Vossen will return to court on August 18.
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