Vic murder accused an ice addict: court

A man accused of a stabbing murder in a Melbourne home is an ice addict who was trying to steal money, a court has heard.

Vatthana Chounlamountry, 30, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday charged with the murder of a 22-year-old man in St Albans last Tuesday.

The court was told Chounlamountry entered the home via an unlocked door and he allegedly stabbed the man, Thanh Phong Nguyen.

Chounlamountry was known to those in the home, said prosecutor Gemma Walton.

He was arrested on Saturday at the Glengala Hotel in Sunshine.

Ms Walton told the court Chounlamountry told investigating officers "he went in to steal money, and then made full admissions" about the crime.

Chounlamountry's defence lawyer Amy Hancock said her client had a drug problem and was experiencing a possible withdrawal from drugs - heroin and ice.

"When I say possible, my client's instruction is he is (withdrawing)," she said.

Chounlamountry was silent in the dock. He had a scabbed abrasion covering one cheek and his temple.

The accused man was supported by a number of family members in the court's public gallery, including a woman with young children.

There was no application for bail.

Magistrate John Doherty remanded Chounlamountry to reappear in court on September 1 for a committal mention.