SALE man Spencer Shumski will face a fast-tracked trial in the Supreme Court of Victoria after pleading not guilty to the alleged stabbing murder of 38-year-old Clinton Allen in May.
Appearing via video link for a committal mention in the Sale Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, the 20-year-old Shumski also entered a plea of not guilty to a second charge of intent to cause injury. His first appearance at the Victorian Supreme Court will take place on October 5 for a directions hearing.
Shumski had also been facing a number of unrelated charges related to possession of weapons and firearms. It’s understood he intends to plead guilty to at least two of those charges. He will return to the Sale Magistrates’ Court to front those weapon offences on October 2.
At the time of the alleged murder on May 7, Shumski was on bail in relation to the firearm charges, with court appearances scheduled within days. His bail was revoked and the court appearance adjourned.
Mr Allen, his wife Bek and a group of friends are understood to have been walking home just after midnight following Bek’s birthday celebration at the Criterion Hotel in Sale when the alleged stabbing happened.
Police were called to the intersection of York Street and Macalister Street, just outside the Criterion Hotel, at about 1am. Officers provided first aid until ambulance crews arrived but were unable to save Mr Allen.
Mr Allen, Bek and their two daughters were originally from Melbourne and had only recently moved to Sale after spending a year travelling around the country.
“We just put a dot on the map and we thought Sale looked alright. Clearly not,” Bek told Nine News.
“He would do anything for anyone. He would do everything for me and the girls, 100 per cent.”
Mr Allen’s sister Lisa said he was “one of the good guys”.
“He’d do anything to help anyone, he was a lover not a fighter. Our family will never be the same without you little brother,” she wrote on social media.
A GoFundMe page to benefit the family was set up by Bek’s friend.
“Clint was a proud family man. An adoring and incredible husband to Bek, an amazing and proud Dad to Makala and Stef and a mate and friend to many!” the GoFundMe page reads.
