Hindley Street attack: Friends rally for Jordan Dodd as Craig Sansbury-Weetra to face court
A man charged with the serious assault of another on Hindley St in the early hours of Sunday morning has been identified, as the struck 20-year-old remains on life support.
Police & Courts
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The Hindley St bashing victim remains on life support, despite attempts to rouse him, and was coward-punched and stomped on by a man with whom he’d clashed twice before, a court has heard.
In the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday, police dubbed Sunday’s attack upon Jordan Leon Dodd an “extremely serious” offence.
They urged the court not to release his alleged assailant, Craig Sansbury-Weetra, on any form of bail, saying the community needed to be protected from the father of two.
“It does not appear this attack was completely random, and that there have been interactions between the parties before,” they told Magistrate Christopher Smolicz.
“The first was on August 3, outside The District nightclub, and the second was earlier on the 11th of August (Sunday morning).
“Then, also on the 11th, the defendant assaulted the victim with a single punch to the head – causing him to fall to the ground unconscious – and then stomped on his chest and ran off.
“The victim is in a serious, life-threatening condition in the RAH and is currently on life support … the hospital has tried to take him off sedation, but unsuccessfully.
“Even if he does survive, it’s likely he will have incurred lifelong disabilities.”
Mr Sansbury-Weetra, 23, of Clearview, has yet to plead to one count of causing serious harm to another person with the intent to do so.
The charge arises from an incident that occurred early on Sunday morning on Hindley St in the CBD, in which he allegedly left Mr Dodd, 20, unconscious and with life-threatening injuries.
Previously, police alleged CCTV footage shows Mr Dodd arguing with a woman before Mr Sansbury-Weetra runs toward him, punches him and drags him along the street.
They further alleged it shows Mr Dodd falling to the ground, and Mr Sansbury-Weetra jumping up and stomping on his chest.
Mr Dodd was rushed to hospital, having suffered from a broken temple, crushed ribs and a bleed on the brain.
Witnesses to the incident have alleged it was the second altercation involving the men, following “a big fight” between their groups half an hour earlier.
Those witnesses further alleged the incident “started over a young woman”.
Meanwhile, friends of Mr Dodd have rallied for him, posting of their love and support on social media as he fights for life in hospital.
Those close to the 20-year-old have condemned the alleged incident, describing it as a “dog shot”.
“My heart is breaking for you brother, you have so many of us behind you and we’re all gonna be here for you every step of the way,” one said.
“You are so strong, and you’re gonna pull through.
“We love you so much.”
In court on Monday, prosecutors said the CCTV footage and the accounts of witnesses formed part of their “strong” case against Mr Sansbury-Weetra.
They said any form of bail was inappropriate given the need “to protect the community”, and to ensure he did not interfere with the still-ongoing investigation.
Counsel for Mr Sansbury-Weetra asked his client be released on home detention bail, saying he was a good candidate for the court’s trust.
He said his client had endured the deaths of both his grandmother and mother from cancer, successfully completed high school and earned qualifications in the construction industry.
“He is a 23-year-old Aboriginal man with no criminal history – none whatsoever – who works five to six days a week,” he said.
“He is the sole breadwinner for his family … his partner, with whom he shares two children, is in court … (they have) a two-year-old and a 15-month-old.
“He has very strong incentives not to breach any bail conditions.”
Mr Smolicz ordered a home detention bail report and remanded Mr Sansbury-Weetra in custody to face court again on Friday.
Mr Sansbury-Weetra’s partner and brother declined to comment outside court.
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