OFF THE WIRE
FINKS bikie Troy Mercanti is suffering from "significant physical issues" and could not face a court hearing today after he was arrested in bizarre circumstances at a Duncraig house at the weekend. Mercanti, 44, is facing a total of seven charges after he was arrested about 4am yesterday and taken to hospital.
PerthNow understands some of the charges against Mercanti relate to alleged assaults on his long term partner, Tammy Kingdon.Nine News reports that Ms Kingdon, who has two children with Mercanti, went to police after Mercanti allegedly bashed her on three separate occasions.
The latest charge relates to an incident on January 6 this year, when it is alleged that the 44-year-old assaulted Ms Kingdon after a dinner at Coco's restaurant.
Police also allegedly found drugs and ammunition in the search of Mercanti's house.
Mercanti was expected to have a bedside court hearing at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital today to face a string of charges, including one count of acts intended to cause bodily harm, three counts of aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm, one count of aggravated indecent assault, one count of trespass and one count of damage.
Instead, Mercanti's defence lawyer Alana Padmanabham appeared on his behalf at the Perth Magistrates Court this morning.
She told PerthNow Mercanti was still being treated in hospital as he was suffering "significant physical issues" but his mental capacity was unaffected and she had been able to take instructions from him.
She added that Mercanti was not intending to make a bail application at this point.
Nine News reports that a police prosecutor told the court Mercanti had been on amphetamines before he was arrested on Sunday.The matter was adjourned until Wednesday.
Police arrested Mercanti on Sunday morning after he allegedly tried to kick down the front door of a Plumosa Mews house.
Mercanti had not been living at the house, nor had he any other connection to the people inside, PerthNow understands.
Witnesses have told police that he was "in a very agitated state" at the time.
Neighbours said they heard someone screaming in the street and knocking on doors, as though the person was trying to find a place to hide.
Police from the Organised Crime Squad searched Mercanti's house, also in Duncraig, and removed a number of items from the address.
A police spokesman said this morning two of the charges Mercanti would face, the trespass and damage charges, related to the incident at the Duncraig house.The other five charges relate to a previous unrelated incident.The spokesman said inquiries are continuing in relation to the search at Mercanti's home.
Video: http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/mercanti-in-hospital-bedside-court-hearing-after-violent-night/story-e6frg12c-1226251082100