Rory McAuley charged with Brunswick shopping centre stabbing

A man has fronted court charged with attempted murder after a stabbing at a popular shopping centre.

Rory McAuley linked into the Melbourne Magistrates Court by phone from the Royal Melbourne Hospital on Wednesday.

His lawyer Rose George told the court he has Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism, and schizophrenia.

Police allege he stole a Wiltshire carving knife from a Woolworths supermarket at Barkly Square shopping centre in Melbourne’s inner north and stabbed two men about 8am on Monday.

The 20-year-old has been charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts each of intentionally and recklessly causing serious injury, two counts each of assault and assault with weapon, affray, making threats to kill and theft.

Both victims were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police previously said the man was taken to hospital with self-inflicted wounds and that it appeared to be a random attack.

Woolworths announced on Wednesday it was temporarily stopping sales of knives and scissors nationwide in response to the incident.