A heavy police presence followed a stabbing at a Northumberland Ave. home on the evening of Dec. 18 2021. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

psych assessment

Mental evaluation ordered for man accused of stabbing Nanaimo couple in their home

Sep 7, 2022 | 5:28 AM

NANAIMO — A psychiatric assessment will help determine if a man accused in a brutal stabbing just prior to last Christmas is fit to stand trial.

A provincial court judge accepted a defence application to evaluate Anthony Rouskov Nielsen’s mental state during a Dec. 18, 2021 stabbing attack at a central Nanaimo home.

The incident in a Northumberland Ave. home near Cadogan St. resulted in serious injuries to a couple in their 60’s.

Defence lawyer Alberto Roberto relayed to court on Tuesday, Sept 6 that there are indications psychosis inflicted his client the night of the incident.

Roberto said based on what he knows he doesn’t believe the matter will proceed to trial.

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Nielsen will remain in custody during a month-long psychiatric assessment which aims to determine if he was suffering from a mental disorder at the time.

Nielsen pleaded not guilty in mid August to four charges in relation to the ghastly attack.

He’s charged with two counts each of aggravated assault and assault with a weapon.

The accused, who was 20-years-old at the time, attended his brief court appearance in person, which was originally scheduled to be a bail hearing.

Court was told the Crown would oppose an interim release for Nielsen, which can’t be argued until the results of the mental fitness test are known.

Nielsen was arrested without incident the night of the stabbing and charged the following day.

He’s currently housed at the Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre in Saanich.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes