Craig Sansbury-Weetra in Supreme Court to overturn refusal of bail for Hindley St assault
A young man who allegedly left a 20-year-old fighting for life after a brutal Hindley St bashing insists he’s “not a violent man” – as he continues his fight for bail.
Police & Courts
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In a last-ditch effort to have his refused bail application overturned, a 23-year-old man has fronted the Supreme Court on Friday as he continues his fight to be released on home detention bail.
Craig Sansbury-Weetra, of Clearview, is accused of leaving Jordan Dodd fighting for life in hospital after an unprovoked coward punch on Hindley St last month.
Ben Collinson, for Mr Sansbury-Weetra, said his client was “not a violent man” – and was the “sole breadwinner” of his family who needed to be home in order to support his partner and two children.
“My client’s partner sets out the financial distress she’s facing currently and will continue to face should my client not be granted bail today,” Mr Collinson said.
“There’s also, Your Honour, my client’s work obligation. They (Mr Sansbury-Weetra’s employer) are currently holding his position in the short term however, should he be held in custody for a long period of time, they will be unable to hold his current employment position.
“My client does come before the court without any criminal history and ... has a good family background. Notwithstanding the allegations put by prosecution in this matter, he is not a violent man.”
Mr Sansbury-Weetra is yet to plead to one count of causing serious harm to another person with the intent to do so.
Prosecutors have alleged he felled Mr Dodd, 20, with a single punch to the head, then stomped on his chest and ran off.
They alleged the men had clashed not only earlier that night, but also on August 3 outside The District nightclub.
Mr Sansbury-Weetra was refused bail by the Adelaide Magistrates Court last month, which brought relief for Mr Dodd’s sister, partner and emotionally overwhelmed his mother.
On Friday, prosecutor Amy Fisher said she was opposed to any form of bail because of the “incredibly serious offending” that left Mr Dodd in a coma until late last week.
“The complainant is currently in an incredibly vulnerable position – there is a real need to protect his safety,” Ms Fisher said.
“Having considered the CCTV footage, this is, in my opinion, an overwhelming prosecution case.
“I hope it’s clear from the footage, Your Honour, but in my submission what is clear is that the applicant has run at the complainant from a significant distance away and made a very conscious and deliberate decision to violently assault him in the head – running up to him from the side.
“He hit him in the head several times and then stomped on his unconscious body before leaving the scene.”
The Honourable Justice Ben Doyle took a short adjournment to consider the submissions, before returning and ordering a home detention report for a proposed bail address in Gulfview Heights.
Mr Sainsbury-Weetra was remanded in custody but will return to court next week to learn his fate.