New South Wales authorities have initiated a review into the clinical care provided to Corum Ash, 45, who is accused of fatally assaulting a grandfather during an early morning walk. Ash was released from a mental health facility eight months prior to the alleged incident.
Quang My Pham, 74, was reportedly on his daily walk in Yennora, Sydney, when he was allegedly attacked by Ash. Police claim Ash struck Mr. Pham repeatedly on the head with a wooden plank before fleeing the scene. Mr. Pham died in hospital two days after the alleged assault, surrounded by his family.
Ash was arrested the day after the alleged attack and subsequently charged with murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder. He also faces a common assault charge related to an unrelated incident that allegedly occurred hours after the attack on Mr. Pham.
It has been disclosed that Ash had resided in a mental health facility in central-west New South Wales until his release in November of the previous year. Following his release, he moved to Carlingford, Sydney, where he lived in supported housing designed for individuals with complex mental health needs and a history of legal system interaction.
Sources familiar with Ash's case have indicated that concerns had been raised regarding his mental health's deterioration and his suitability for remaining in the community. "This person, and the victim and the victim's family were failed by a lot of different services that should have been involved that weren't properly resourced to do their job," one source told The Daily Telegraph. The source questioned the communication and decision-making processes among various services responsible for the patient's care.
The NSW government has confirmed an urgent review into Ash's clinical care in the weeks leading up to the alleged assault. The office of Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson was contacted for comment. Sarah Mitchell, Health Opposition spokesperson, has called for an independent review to ascertain the existing safeguards and prevent future occurrences.
"Was there a proper risk assessment conducted before this individual was discharged from any mental health facilities and was there community follow-up care in place?" Mitchell stated.
Hours after the alleged Yennora attack, Ash was involved in a separate incident in Carlingford where he was detained via citizen's arrest following an alleged assault at a medical center. He was later charged with common assault and released, as authorities had not yet connected him to the earlier incident.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon stated that the officers who initially granted Ash bail were not provided with information regarding his mental health history. Ash is also facing charges related to a third incident, allegedly involving the assault of a 65-year-old man at his campervan in Guildford last Wednesday.
Ash appeared in Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday and did not seek bail. He is scheduled to remain in custody until his next court appearance on September 10.