Maua Lagaaia has striking to cause death charge back before Dalby Magistrates Court

The former lawyers of a man who police allege assaulted a Western Downs plumber outside a regional pub have asked to withdraw from the case, just one month after the charges were first mentioned in court. Here’s the latest.

Maua Lagaaia, charged with striking to cause death is mentioned in Dalby Magistrates Court. Picture: Facebook

A man who was alleged to be involved in a fatal assault outside a southwest Queensland pub has had his matters mentioned in court, with the man obtaining new legal representation since the case’s first mention.

Police allege that on September 16, Brisbane man Maua Lagaaia, 33, struck Western Downs man Lincoln Hoad, 32, outside The Australian Hotel in Dalby.

Mr Hoad suffered serious head injuries and was flown to Princess Alexandra Hospital before his life support was turned off.

Mr Lagaaia’s charges were upgraded following the man’s death, and has been charged with one count of striking to cause death.

His matter was mentioned in Dalby Magistrates Court on December 12, where acting magistrate Andrew Walker shared that the man’s original representation, Dib & Associates contacted the court asking to seek leave from the matter and that a new firm, Robertson O’Gorman would be taking the case moving forward.

Solicitor Hannah Pugh from the new firm appeared via phone and stated her legal team would be appearing on the record for Mr Lagaaia.

Mr Walker told Ms Pugh that two briefs of evidence had already been supplied to the original law firm by the police prosecutor in Dalby Sergeant Derek Brady.

“Perhaps we can adjourn it to make sure that material has been received, because the brief has been misplaced by the prior firm that’s been supplied wholly including USB material,” Sergeant Brady said.

Ms Pugh asked for an adjournment towards the middle of January next year to ensure the firm could receive all evidence.

Mr Lagaaia has not yet entered a plea.

Mr Walker adjourned the matter to January 23 next year in Dalby Magistrates Court for mention.