Singer and long-standing TV personality Kamahl will fight allegations that he intimidated a woman via text messages on mental health grounds.

Kandiah Kamalesvaran, better known by his stage name Kamahl, did not appear in person in Sutherland Local Court on Wednesday as his lawyer applied to have the case dismissed based on his mental health.

Speaking outside court, his solicitor Bobby Hill said the 89-year-old was not charged with stalking – as had been reported by some media outlets – nor was he accused of “using distasteful language”.

“He is charged with intimidation,” Hill said, confirming that the charges stemmed from a dispute over a loan his client gave to the alleged victim, a 38-year-old woman.

There was a subsequent exchange of text messages between the pair, parts of which police allege intimidated the complainant.

The charges relate to a period from May 21, 2023, until March 10. Kamahl is accused of causing the woman to fear physical or mental harm through his behaviour.

Hill said the singer’s cognitive and mental health would be a “major feature” of the proceedings, although he confirmed Kamahl was not taking medication at the time of the allegations.

“Noting he is an 89-year-old man … I’m sure many people in the community would appreciate the cognitive differences between an 89-year-old man and other parts of the population,” he said.

Kamahl’s application to dismiss the charge on mental health grounds will be heard in October. The case is scheduled to go to a hearing in November if he is unsuccessful.

Police also applied for an apprehended violence order on behalf of the complainant.

The Malaysian-born singer rose to prominence with two charting singles in the late 1960s and mid-1970s, as well as his repeat appearances on the long-running variety show Hey Hey It’s Saturday.

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-AAP