Ballarat man pleads not guilty to petrol and knife assault
Sajith Dissanayaka, 37, pleaded not guilty to seven charges. These include assault with a weapon and threats to kill.
Dissanayaka faced Ballarat Magistrates' Court on September 7 and 8 over an alleged assault on January 22, 2026. The prosecution said he poured petrol over a woman while she lay in bed, then brought a lighter into the room and threatened to set the house on fire.
The prosecution also alleged he hit her with parts of a broken artificial Christmas tree and struck her thigh with the flat of a knife. The woman did not testify but gave a video statement from her hospital bed describing the incident.
Medical evidence showed minor injuries to her shoulder and legs. Tests found traces of petrol in the room.
But they found no clear petrol residue on his clothing. The defence argued the prosecution's case was based on unclear and unproven testimony.
Why it mattersCourt cases with serious assault allegations affect how evidence is weighed. They also affect what counts as proof beyond reasonable doubt.
AustraliaDomestic assault case being heard in Ballarat Magistrates' Court in Victoria.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 17 h ago
