THE 24-year-old man accused of fatally stabbing popular Shortland identity Bobby Palmer, who was walking his dog on Saturday evening, has been refused bail.
Zack Mavin was led into court on Sunday morning bearing a distinct black mark across his forehead.
Police allege Mavin entered the 7-11 service station on Sandgate Road, Shortland at about 8pm on Saturday.
He threatened an employee with a knife and possibly a chemical agent before leaving empty handed.
He headed to a nearby service station, also on Sandgate Road, where he became involved in an argument with a 54-year-old Mr Palmer.
Mr Palmer, who was not known to Mavin, was allegedly stabbed in the abdomen and died at the scene.
Mavin was arrested after being tasered at his home on Sandgate Road shortly afterwards.
The court heard Mavin had one prior conviction for entering enclosed lands.
Police opposed bail on the basis of Mavin's admissions following his arrest, CCTV footage and witness statements.
"There doesn't appear to be anything to explain his behaviour; it was entirely unprovoked," the police prosecutor said.
"A full-time custodial sentence is the only likely outcome."
A bail application that would have required Mavin to stay at his mother's house and report to police daily was rejected.
Mavin did not speak throughout the proceedings except to challenge the registrar who noted the attack had been unprovoked.
"It was not unprovoked," he replied.
The matter was adjourned to Newcastle court on Monday December 14.
The people of Shortland were shocked to learn of the incident. Mr Palmer was a community-minded man who was heavily involved with the Shortland Devils rugby league club.
"It is with great sadness that we advise our current and past members, old boys and friends of the club of the passing of club legend Bobby Palmer," a statement from Shortland Devils RLFC said.
"Bobby was taken from us too soon, and will be terribly missed.
"Our thoughts first and foremost are with Bobby's family, and we extend our deepest sympathies to them.
"Bobby was Shorty through and through, from playing for the club in his younger days, his service continued right up until this year where he regularly marked the lines at Tuxford Park, and was known to mow the field by push mower after the recent theft of the club ride on.
"RIP Bobby, forever a Devil!"
Earlier
A MAN has been allegedly murdered in Newcastle overnight and a second man has been charged over his death.
Shortly after 8pm Saturday a 24-year-old man entered a service station on Sandgate Road, Shortland, allegedly armed with a knife.
He threatened an employee before running from the service station empty handed. He headed to a second service station, also on Sandgate Road, where he became involved in an argument with a 54-year-old man, who was walking his dog.
Witnesses have told police the argument became physical and the older man was stabbed in his abdomen; he died at the scene.
Following information received, officers from Newcastle attended a home on Sandgate Road where they attempted to speak with 24-year-old man without success. Police tasered the man and he was then arrested.
He was taken to Newcastle police station where he was charged with murder; he's been refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court on Sunday.
Crime scenes have been established at both service stations on Sandgate Road, as well as the home where the man was arrested.
Initial inquiries suggest the two men were not known to each other.
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