Carl Allan: 41-year-old accused axe attacker to spend Christmas at Hakea after lawyer unable to phone prison

A man who allegedly attacked a Perth grandfather with an axe will spend Christmas behind bars after his lawyer was unable to contact his client at Hakea Prison, despite calling “15 times”. Carl Allan faced Midland Magistrates Court on Monday via video-link for a bail application after being charged with grievous bodily harm over the attack on December 4. The 41-year-old is accused of assaulting 82-year-old Albert Bullock with an axe at Discovery Parks caravan park in Caversham after a verbal dispute. Police arrested Mr Allan exactly one week after the attack, finding him in bushland near the Avon River. Mr Allan’s lawyer Paul Holmes on Monday presented the court with a document outlining a list of bail conditions he proposed despite police opposing Mr Allan’s release. But before it could proceed, Mr Allan chimed in by saying he wanted to speak with his lawyer before the bail application went ahead. Mr Holmes, respecting the request, asked for a brief adjournment so that he could phone Hakea prison. A short time later, Mr Holmes returned to say he was unable to reach his client. “They weren’t answering their phone,” Mr Holmes said. “I’ve rung probably 15 times and they are not answering their phone.” Mr Allan first faced court on Friday before he was remanded through to Monday for a bail application. Mr Holmes had not been able to get in touch with his client since his arrest, telling the court on Monday that you “can’t just ring Hakea over the weekend”. “There is no way of speaking with him, your honour,” Mr Holmes said, when referring to his multiple attempts on Monday. The bail application was adjourned to January 22. Mr Allan did not appear distressed when he was told that he would remain behind bars until at least then. In an interview with 7NEWS, Mr Bullock said the argument escalated after Mr Allan was allegedly confronted about his driving through the caravan park, which had a 5km/h speed limit. In a last-ditch effort, which Mr Bullock said caused his attacker to run, he squirted the man in the eyes with bug spray. The grandfather, who lives at the caravan park, suffered a non-life-threatening injury to his arm. Midland detectives previously said they had urgent welfare concerns for Mr Allan’s mother, who they believed could have possibly been travelling in a black Ford Ranger ute with her son after the incident. Police conducted a major search through the Julimar State Forest, Moondyne Reserve and Avon Valley for Mr Allan before he was found near the Avon Valley river on December 15. After they located the accused attacker, detectives thanked “residents and farmers who provided vital information and support”. Mr Allan’s mother was also found safe and well. She has not been accused of a crime.