A former racehorse trainer accused of stabbing two people in Melbourne may be mentally impaired or unfit to plead or stand trial.
Thomas Hughes, 56, is in custody after allegedly stabbing two people in Ascot Vale on August 8.
Police believe the victims, a 46-year-old Moonee Ponds man and a 60-year-old Ascot Vale woman who suffered non-life-threatening injuries, were known to Hughes.
His lawyer Merran Shanahan told Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday that the case needed to be adjourned because reports were required, looking at "fitness and impairment".
Hughes last faced court in August when his then-lawyer Anthony Brand revealed the former trainer had significant health issues.
"He has probably got some mental health issues that need addressing fairly urgently, particularly in view of matters arising from both the incidents involved and the subsequent accident," Mr Brand told the court.
Magistrate John Hardy on Monday confirmed Hughes had been prescribed medication for his mental health and that he was taking it.
"Hopefully it's making you feel a bit better," he said.
Hughes was also suffering physical injuries when he last appeared, with Mr Brand telling the court then that he had suffered broken ribs in a serious car accident at Kensington on August 9.
Hughes was allegedly stopped by police before fleeing and crashing a car into a tree down the road before his arrest.
He is charged with false imprisonment, intentionally causing injury, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, assault with a weapon, making threats to kill and failing to stop when requested by police.
Hughes is due to return to court by videolink on October 18.
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