Jayden McKenna, 26, appeared in Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Thursday for the city’s first compulsory examination hearing. 

He was required to give evidence about an alleged incident in Garvoc on April 13, where he was stabbed and robbed of his money and drugs.

Mr McKenna was sworn in as a witness but refused to give evidence, stating that he couldn’t remember or was not willing to comment. 

He told the court he was under the influence of drugs and could not recall what had happened on the night of April 13. 

He said he “briefly” remembered being in hospital but when questioned further he would not comment. 

Public prosecutor Andrew Buckland told the court Mr McKenna had previously given police a short account of the incident but refused to sign a statement as he feared he would be assaulted again. 

Mr McKenna told the court he had just had an operation when he spoke to police and was “pretty dazed”. 

Magistrate Franz Holzer asked the witness if he was fearful of the accused, in which he replied “no comment”. 

Mr Holzer explained the obligations of a witness during a compulsory examination and the matter was stood down while Mr McKenna spoke to his lawyer Ian Pugh. 

But Mr McKenna continued to refuse to give evidence in court. 

Mr Holzer said the man would be charged with contempt of court at a later date. 

Mr McKenna was remanded in custody for unrelated matters on Monday. He will appear in court again during January.

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