A 19-year-old man allegedly seriously assaulted another man he met through a dating app, leaving him with injuries including a suspected brain haemorrhage.
The man, who has not been named at this stage, briefly appeared before the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday, September 24, where he was ordered to go to a hospital to undergo a mental health evaluation.
He is yet to enter pleas to one count each of recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm, and choking, suffocating, or strangling another person.
Police allege the two men arranged to meet at a place in south Canberra on Tuesday evening.
When they met, the 19-year-old allegedly assaulted the man before demanding money from him.
He is said to have then forced the man to drive to several locations across Canberra to withdraw cash.
Police said the alleged victim attempted to escape from the vehicle, but the 19-year-old allegedly reversed the car as the door was opened, preventing him from getting out.
The man was eventually let out in Kaleen, where he was able to call for help.
About 5:15am on Wednesday, police located the alleged victim's vehicle in Giralang and arrested the 19-year-old, who was sitting in the driver's seat.
On Thursday, the court heard that the status of the alleged victim remained "up in the air", with his injuries including a suspected brain haemorrhage.
The 19-year-old is expected to return to court following his hospital assessment.
Investigations are ongoing, and police have noted that further charges are being considered.
