The woman accused of carrying out a random stabbing in Melbourne’s CBD has been refused bail again, with a judge ruling the risk to public safety remains too high.

Lauren Darul, 33, appeared before the Supreme Court seeking release from custody, but the application was rejected after the court considered the seriousness of the allegations and the potential risk of further offending.

A Supreme Court judge has refused a new bail application from the woman accused of an alleged random stabbing attack in Melbourne’s city centre.

The case stems from an alleged attack on Little Bourke Street that shocked Melbourne commuters.

Prosecutors allege a 36-year-old woman was walking to work in the CBD when she was suddenly stabbed in what investigators describe as a random and unprovoked assault.

The victim suffered serious injuries and required hospital treatment after the incident.

Police arrested Darul less than two hours later.

The allegations quickly became one of Victoria’s most widely discussed criminal cases because of the apparent randomness of the attack and the fears it generated among city workers and commuters.

During the latest hearing, the court was told Darul has now spent months in custody while awaiting further legal proceedings.

Her legal team argued for release under strict conditions.

The court ultimately rejected that proposal.

In delivering the decision, the judge concluded the risk posed to the community could not be adequately managed through bail conditions.

The ruling means Darul will remain in custody as the case moves toward future court hearings.

The hearing also drew attention because Darul told the court she is transitioning to male while in custody.

The judge referred to Darul using male pronouns during proceedings, reflecting how the issue was presented before the court.

That aspect of the hearing attracted public attention, but it was not the central issue in the bail decision.

The primary focus remained community safety.

The court examined the allegations, Darul’s personal circumstances, previous interactions with the justice system and the likelihood of compliance with any future bail conditions.

The prosecution opposed release, arguing the alleged attack demonstrated a significant risk if Darul returned to the community before trial.

The victim’s ongoing concerns were also raised during proceedings.

The alleged stabbing has continued to resonate because it occurred during the morning rush in one of Melbourne’s busiest parts of the city.

Security footage and witness accounts formed a major part of the investigation that followed.

The case has also become part of a broader debate around bail laws and community safety in Victoria.

Recent violent incidents have intensified scrutiny on how courts assess risk when dealing with serious criminal allegations.

Opposition politicians have repeatedly argued that public safety should remain the overriding consideration in bail decisions involving violent offences.

The government has defended existing laws while continuing to monitor crime and justice issues that remain highly visible to voters.

For now, the legal focus remains on the criminal proceedings against Darul.

The allegations have not been proven in court and the accused remains entitled to the presumption of innocence.

However, after the latest ruling, any release from custody appears unlikely in the immediate future.

The case is expected to return to court as prosecutors continue preparing their case over the alleged CBD stabbing.