An accused killer's sister told a court she lost her brother the night he was assaulted in Prospect Vale a decade ago.
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Joshua Josef Barker, of Kings Meadows, is facing a Launceston Supreme Court trial after pleading not guilty to murdering Dale James Watson during an alleged hit-run at Prospect Vale on March 9 last year and assaulting Timothy John Bumford shortly after.
Gina Tatto read from a statutory declaration when she took the stand on Wednesday.
Ms Tatto told the court about the changes and challenges her brother had faced since he was assaulted by four men with blunt objects in June 2009.
THE TRIAL
Mr Barker suffered from flashbacks, paranoia, night terrors, he became a recluse, was too scared to go to town alone, would have angry outbursts and blamed others for his problems, the jury was told.
Ms Tatto said five years after the assault her brother had a mental breakdown, which lasted a few months.
Mr Barker's strange behaviour started again at the end of 2017, the court heard.
Ms Tatto said he had angry outbursts, suicidal thoughts, was suspicious of people, had delusions, heavy sweats and weight loss.
Ms Tatto and her mother were called to Mr Barker's work on February 8 because he had a mental breakdown, the court heard.
The two women found Mr Barker sitting in a corner crying with his hands gripping his head, Ms Tatto said.
IN OTHER NEWS
The morning of the alleged hit-run, Ms Tatto said she got a text from Mr Barker at 12.06am saying he'd fixed himself.
She told the court she replied saying she'd always love him and he'd always be in her heart.
About 11am that same day Mr Barker allegedly mounted a kerb on Knox Street and hit Mr Watson, who was walking from a friend's house to Woolworths.
The court heard less than 20 minutes later Mr Barker punched Fastway Couriers employee Mr Bumford while he was sitting in his van outside Sacred Heart Primary School on York Street.
While giving evidence, Mr Bumford said he thought Mr Barker was going to ask about a parcel when he approached the van, but instead he asked for his number.
Mr Bumford said the question caught him off guard and he replied "six".
The court heard Mr Barker punched Mr Bumford, pulled the keys out of the van's ignition and stabbed him in the leg with them.
Mr Barker went to his sister's house at Trevallyn after the alleged assault, the court heard.
Ms Tatto said he was asking where his wife and master were, but he doesn't have a girlfriend or wife.
The trial before Justice Robert Pearce continues.