Police say 18-year-old Tia Hammond was homeless, drug-addled, and still carrying a 25cm kitchen knife when she fled the scene of a stabbing in Lang Park, Monday morning.

Hammond allegedly sought refuge in a tent concealed in dunes off nearby Marine Drive. In documents tendered to Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday, police describe this as the teen’s home. 

The Mercury observed two tents pitched in dunes east of WIN Entertainment Centre on Tuesday, along with several makeshift sleeping quarters made from rope and tarpaulin.

A man, who gave his name as Brian Willis and described himself as a visitor to the tent accommodation, told the Mercury homeless people had been sleeping at the site for many years, drawn by proximity to the beach, shower facilities, and the prospect of safety in numbers. 

The tents would appear once the weather became warm, and would house all sorts, including people who were awaiting public housing, he said. 

“The women’s shelters are full … there’s a lot of people here who are running away from domestic violence,” he said. 

“We’ve had ex-executives, businessmen and lawyers crash down here.

“[The lawyer] got kicked out by his missus. He’d get dressed and go to court every morning. Represented a couple of people I know.” 

“You don’t plan to get homeless, it just happens.” 

Mr Willis denied Hammond currently lived at the tents and said she had brought unwelcome attention to living arrangements in the dunes, where “no one doesn’t bother no one”. 

”No coppers come down here,” he said. “Everybody knows they’re here. Everybody just looks after each other. 

“There’s no alcohol, no rubbish, no noise. They keep it clean because it’s their house. 

“People have been living down here for years. That’s why you don’t see them sleeping on the streets.” 

Hammond faces charges of reckless wounding, armed with intent, and two courts of assaulting a police officer. 

Police will alleged the teen repeatedly swung a 25cm kitchen knife at a man in Lang Park about 8.35am before turning on a 42-year-old woman known to her.

The woman picked up a stick to protect herself, but Hammond allegedly continued swinging until she connected with the woman’s left upper arm, setting the knife in about 2cms deep.

Hammond was refused bail on Tuesday. The matter returns to court January 9.