An elderly war veteran was allegedly pushed in front of a car in a random act of violence that ended in a murder charge yesterday.
Police allege Robert Stanley Narramore, was killed one day after his 83rd birthday when Craig William Wheatley shoved him into oncoming traffic in Sydney early on Saturday afternoon —for no reason.
Wheatley and Mr Narramore had never met or exchanged words before the 45-year-old pushed him into the path of a car, Parramatta Bail Court was told yesterday.
Mr Narramore's head hit the back tyre of a car as he fell on to the road. He suffered massive head injuries and died in Liverpool Hospital about 9.30pm on Saturday.
Wheatley was charged with murder in what police prosecutor Steven Sheather described as an act of "recklessness".
Friends and colleagues of Mr Narramore, known to them as Bob, mourned his tragic death yesterday, describing him as a "gentleman".
Mr Narramore served overseas for the Australian Army with the 2/163 General Transport Company from June 1943 to October 1945.
Wheatley was refused bail yesterday based on the strong prosecution case, which includes closed-circuit TV footage and a number of witnesses.
He was remanded in custody to appear before Sutherland Local Court tomorrow.