Declan Jamie Thomas Burton charged with unlawful striking causing death

A committal is set to be held early in the new year for a young Maryborough farmer charged over an alleged one-punch death.

Tinana’s Declan Jamie Thomas Burton, 20, is charged with hitting 51-year-old Maryborough man James Andrew Curtis in the head outside a Fraser Coast hotel, causing him to fall and hit his head on the pavement.

The legal team representing a Tinana farmer charged over a deadly pub punch have said instructions will be taken ahead of a committal early next year.

Police allege 21-year-old Declan Jamie Thomas Burton, who until recently worked for his family’s decades-old milk company near Maryborough, delivered the punch that caused the death of James Andrew Curtis.

Police will allege an argument began Mr Burton and Mr Curtis outside the Lamington Hotel on Ferry St, Maryborough on November 24, 2023.

Declan Jamie Thomas Burton, 21.

Mr Burton allegedly struck the 51-year-old in the head about 10pm, causing him to fall and hit his head on the pavement.

Released on bail just before Christmas, Mr Burton was initially charged with one count of grievous bodily harm but, in the wake of Mr Curtis’ death in hospital on December 7, 2023, the charge was upgraded to unlawful striking causing death.

Mr Burton has not entered a plea and did not appear during the mention.

A lengthy adjournment was requested so instructions could be taken ahead of the committal.

The case was adjourned until January 14 and Mr Burton’s bail was enlarged.

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