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Magistrate urges Boxing Day stabbing accused to eat

A man has appeared in court over a Boxing Day stabbing.

A man has appeared in court over a Boxing Day stabbing. Photo: ABC

A man charged over a fatal Boxing Day stabbing in northern Victoria is refusing to eat, a court has been told.

Steven Mark Dunn, 49, appeared via videolink in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with murdering Nicholas Stephen Bruton.

Police allege the pair were arguing in the early hours of Boxing Day at a home in Ultima in the state’s north when the 39-year-old was stabbed. He died in hospital.

Dunn, who appeared wearing jeans and a dark long sleeved top, made no application for bail. His lawyer said Dunn was refusing to eat and requested he be seen by a psychiatric nurse.

He was also on a number of medications and recovering from injuries in a recent motorbike accident.

Magistrate John Hardy ordered Dunn be seen by a doctor and urged him to accept treatment.

“It’s not going to help anyone if you just stop eating,” Mr Hardy said.

“I don’t know what happened but you need to listen to what people who come to help you advise you to do.”

Tributes have flowed online for Mr Bruton with a supporter setting up a GO fund me page to help his wife and children.

“A very kind person has set this GO fund me page for Tash and children after the devastating death of Nick Bruton, a son, a husband and a father,” Cherie Ward on posted on Facebook.

“Every little bit helps. R.I.P Nick. You will be missed greatly.”

Dunn was remanded in custody until his next appearance in Mildura Magistrates Court on May 1.

-AAP

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