Disturbing decline of the Laurel Darul accused of the random stabbing of a sushi chef in Melbourne is revealed in court – as new details emerge of her alleged attack on a young child

A woman is accused in court documents of going on a two-year rampage across Melbourne – including an alleged attack on a young boy – before she allegedly brutally stabbed an innocent bystander on a city street. 

Lauren Darul, 32, has been charged over a broad-daylight attack on sushi chef Wan Lai –  a 36-year-old woman who was walking to work when she was allegedly stabbed in the chest in October. 

A bail hearing this week heard how an alleged mix of drugs, alcohol and homelessness took hold of Darul’s life before she was accused of the alleged unprovoked and random attack on Ms Lai.

Holding a soccer ball under one arm, Darul allegedly stabbed Ms Lai for no good reason. Police allege the stabbing was unprovoked and random and, when arrested, she allegedly declared she was ‘the King of Australia’. 

The alleged incident horrified Melburnians, with the controversy only deepening when it was revealed the city’s Lord Mayor Nick Reece knew about the alleged stabbing ten days before it became public, but said nothing. 

Now disturbing new allegations have been revealed about Darul’s past in the court documents.

According to the court documents, police allege Darul had been out of control for a very long time, with a string of convictions for a wide range of crimes, including an extensive list of violent incidents, and 19 outstanding criminal matters before the courts.

The allegations involving the little boy are almost as unnerving as the alleged CBD stabbing. 

Police allege the child was walking with his family on King Street when Darul randomly spat in his face near SeaLife Aquarium in January last year.

‘A fairly huge amount of saliva landed on the victim’s face, entering eyes and mouth,’ police told the court.

Darul was allegedly seen yelling, swearing and behaving erratically  as the boy’s father yelled at her to stop.

She was arrested about 20 minutes later.

Asked why she allegedly spat in the boy’s face, according to the court documents, she allegedly told the officers: ‘I don’t know. I can’t remember. I’m truly sorry.’

It was the same month Darul was allegedly spotted inside a popular South Melbourne pizza shop with a gun tucked into her pants, the court was told.

Worried members of the public called police, with one person snapping photos of her at Flinders Street Station with the gun allegedly poking out of her pants. 

Upon her arrest, Darul allegedly told police she was taking it to a friend’s place for ‘sexual purposes’.

Among the 57 charges she faces over 19 separate matters including claims of smashing car windows with pallets and gym weights, and repeatedly stealing bottles of alcohol.

The court heard Darul had a history of evading responsibility and disregarding court orders, but was still granted bail multiple times.

The court heard Darul had previously been subjected to 16 arrest warrants for failing to answer bail or appear on bail.

She also had nine prior guilty findings of failing to appear on bail since 2022 and eight findings of guilt for committing an indictable offence while on bail.

Court documents allege Darul went on an hour-long rampage in South Melbourne in October 2022, smashed a scooter in November 2023 and threw a shipping pallet through the window of a Carpet Court shop the following month. 

After her alleged antics in January last year, Darul is accused of keying cars, shop thefts, robbing a postman, smashing up another shop and stealing more alcohol. 

In May 2023 she was jailed and placed on an 18-month community corrections order – an order judges argue is the equivalent to jail time and in the community’s ‘best interests’. 

She was placed on the sex offender register for eight years at the same hearing. 

Darul’s lawyer requested her client be released on a voluntary treatment order at Royal Melbourne Hospital, insisting a range of support services was prepared to assist her.

But Magistrate Tim Bourke sided with police and Darul’s alleged stabbing victim, who had pleaded for her to remain behind bars.

‘Taking all of the preceding matters into account, I am not satisfied that any bail conditions can ameliorate the risks,’ he said. 

For now, Darul will remain locked behind bars. 

She had hoped to walk free from Dame Phyllis Frost Centre to spend Christmas back on the streets, probably living on the streets.

Management from a homeless shelter, funded by the state government and the City of Melbourne, told the court at her bail hearing they did not want Darul back.

Darul was remanded in custody and will face court again in January.

Any further bail attempts will be heard in the Supreme Court of Victoria.