A semi-professional basketballer of Kenyan origin charged with murdering his girlfriend has been sent to a mental health facility in Perth, Australia for assessment. 

Chudier Thowath Pal, 29, was arrested after Stephanie Lee Robinson’s charred body was discovered in a burning house on Ravenscar Street in Doubleview, Northern Perth around 7.15am on Saturday.

Pal appeared before a Perth Magistrates Court on Monday without a lawyer and he appeared to ramble during proceedings as he faced charges over the murder of the 30-year-old mother of five.

The Kenyan was placed on a seven-day hospital order and is expected back in court on January 11 with the matter expected to proceed to Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on January 27.

Robinson’s mother and aunt are reported to have attended the court session but could not see the suspect owing to Covid-19 restrictions.

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According to the West Australian, Pal, who played for the Rockingham Flames and Mandurah Magic, lived at the Doubleview property and was reportedly in a relationship with Robinson.

He is reported to have also played college basketball for the University of North Carolina in the US.

Police in Perth had earlier conducted a manhunt for the suspect and locked down the street while warning the general public not to approach him before his arrest at 2.30pm on Saturday.

Pal grew up in Kenya before moving to Western Australia where he turned out for NBL1 teams as well as University of North Carolina Ashville Bulldogs and trained with the Perth Wildcats.