Charlie John Coveney is accused of committing grievous bodily harm on Mathew Hawkins
The court heard what allegedly led to the former boxer and young dad knocking the 26-year-old man to the ground and fracturing his skull outside a Gatton pub.
Police & Courts
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The man accused of fracturing Matthew Hawkins’ skull during a fight outside Gatton’s Commercial Hotel has been denied bail with a magistrate ruling that he posed an unacceptable risk to the community.
Charlie John Coveney, 26, stands accused of one count of grievous bodily harm arising from the fight which left Mr Hawkins fighting for his life in the Princess Alexandra Hospital Intensive Care Unit.
He was arrested on Wednesday and faced the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Thursday.
The court heard Mr Hawkins, his girlfriend Ms Keppel and a friend Mr Morrison were at the pub on Saturday when an argument broke out between Mr Coveney and Mr Morrison.
The court heard Mr Coveney punched Mr Morrison twice and knocked out a tooth before leaving the area.
The court heard as Mr Coveney the former amateur boxer was leaving Mr Hawkins and Ms Keppel slandered him so he turned around and confronted the pair in a separate altercation.
A fight ensued where it is alleged Mr Hawkins and Mr Coveney fell to the ground with Mr Hawkins on top.
When the scuffle broke up it is alleged Mr Coveney rushed Mr Hawkins, knocking him to the ground and causing a skull fracture.
The court heard this sequence of events was captured on CCTV cameras but what happened next was not with some witnesses claiming Mr Coveney stomped on Mr Hawkins’ head while others saying they did not see a stomp.
Police prosecutor Bettina Trenear told the court that Mr Hawkins' injuries were grave and that he had undergone two surgeries to remove part of his skull and release pressure on his swollen brain.
“His survivability is unknown at this time and it won’t be known until that swelling subsides,” she said.
In objecting to Mr Coveney’s bail, Ms Trenear said he had a limited but relevant criminal history.
Duty lawyer Jag MacDonald argued for Mr Coveney’s release on bail and said his client intended to plead not-guilty by way of self-defence.
“He has assaulted Mr Morrison, which is uncontroversial,” he said.
“My client firmly instructs, and is supported by witnesses, that he quit from that and was walking to his car when the partner of Mr Hawkins hurled abuse calling him a dog and a c--t.
“He has then re-engaged.”
“He instructed that it was a known belief that Mr Hawkins had stabbed someone a week before and he had the distinct fear that if he turned his back on Hawkins he might be the victim of a knife crime.”
Mr MacDonald told the court that the claim of self-defence would have to be decided by a jury and that there would be a significant delay in having the matter listed for a trial in the District Court.
He added that his client would agree to strict bail conditions including a curfew, staying sober and having no contact with the witnesses.
Mr MacDonald told the court that his client had strong links to the community, that he was a father of two young girls, worked in construction building the Southern Queensland Correctional Centre and had proposed to his fiance the day before he handed himself into police.
In denying bail magistrate Lousia Shepherd said the case against Mr Coveney was strong and strict bail conditions were not enough to negate the risk he posed to the community.
“This is a terribly serious offence and one that occurred near a licensed venue in a public place,” she said.
Mr Coveney was remanded in custody to reappear in the same court on January 27, 2023.
Boxer to settle brutal assault charge outside court
A former boxer accused of fracturing a Gatton man’s skull during a pub fight in regional Queensland is attempting to settle the matter outside of court.
Everybody appearing at Gatton Magistrates Court, Friday, May 9
Here is a list of matters listed at Gatton Magistrates Court on Friday.