Accused sobs as murder charge brought

A sobbing Luke James Wentholt has been remanded in custody until Dec 18 for the murder of Dublin backpacker David Greene and for a vicious assault on David Byas at a Melbourne boarding house on Aug 26.

Initially charged with two counts each of intentionally causing serious injury and recklessly causing serious injury assault, Mr Wentholt, aged 31, who was jailed in 2009 for attacking a prostitute, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court via videolink from remand to face the upgraded charges.

Victoria Police confirmed Mr Greene travelled to Australia about two years ago on a working visa. Mr Byas, aged 28, remains in hospital in a serious condition.