A magistrate has intervened to enter not guilty pleas on behalf of an accused paramedic attacker, sending his case to trial.
Mohamud Ali appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday where he was committed to stand trial in the Supreme Court for the alleged attempted murder, intentionally cause injury and assault an ambulance worker.
The 33-year-old is alleged to have stabbed a Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance paramedic in an unprovoked attack while the health worker waited for a coffee outside a cafe in Reservoir in Melbourne's north on April 30.
The paramedic, a recent dad, was taken to hospital with face and neck injuries after a passer-by came to his rescue.
Police allege Ali arrived in a small red car, stabbed the paramedic before fleeing in the vehicle.
Ali's defence lawyer on Thursday asked for an adjournment, citing concerns her client was not able to fully understand and give legal instructions.
"It would be remiss of me not to get him assessed," she told the court.
The crown prosecutor didn't object, saying he understood Ali would enter a plea for the intentionally cause injury charge, while the remaining charges would be dropped.
But wary of further delay and mindful of the alleged victim, Magistrate Donna Bakos stepped in.
"I propose to enter a plea of not guilty on his behalf if you say that fitness is an issue or may be an issue," she said.
She turned to Ali, who appeared via video link from the Metropolitan Remand Centre, to outline his three charges which he could enter pleas.
"I'm told there are issues which persuade me to enter a plea of not guilty on your behalf," she told the accused.
"Yes," Ali responded.
He will appear before the Supreme Court for a directions hearing on August 27.
The alleged attack in Reservoir has been a catalyst for further reform of laws protecting emergency service workers.
The Victorian Law Reform Commission is currently examining whether the definition of "on duty" for a paramedic should extend beyond times when providing care to a patient.
