Murphys Creek man charged with grievous bodily harm for allegedly assaulting 73-year-old man

NAMED: A court has heard why an elderly man was allegedly horrifically beaten on his front porch last night, when the alleged offended sought bail in court.

A 23-year-old Murphys Creek man has faced court after he was charged with grievous bodily harm following the alleged horrific assault of an elderly man.

Magistrate Clare Kelly declined Stoney Izak Allen Graves’ bail application on Thursday afternoon, March 23, given the serious nature of the allegations, which were caught on the victim’s home CCTV.

The incident allegedly took place about 6pm Wednesday night at the elderly man’s home on Thursa St, Murphys Creek, when the 23-year-old went to the man’s home to confront him.

The court was told Mr Graves was at the pub across the road from the 73-year-old man’s house when someone told Mr Graves that the elderly man had spoken to police over an alleged driving matter involving Mr Graves.

Police allege Mr Graves knocked on the older man’s door and argued with him before allegedly punching him in the head, knocking him to the ground.

Stoney Izak Allen Graves. Picture: Facebook

Ms Kelly said the man fell on a wooden bench before Mr Graves allegedly picked it up and threw it at him, pinning him to a wall.

Ms Kelly said the victim tried to turn away and shield himself, but Mr Graves allegedly continued to hit the man before throwing him head first across and off the 1m high veranda, “violent enough to dislodge his hearing aids”.

The court was told the man suffered significant injuries which included a small fracture to the spine, a collapsed and bleeding lung, and fractured and completely dislodged ribs which were likely to require surgery.

The elderly man had only been very recently released from the hospital and had been home with his wife.

The court was told Mr Graves’ sister pulled him away from the man, and the pair allegedly ran off, leaving neighbours to run to the alleged victim’s assistance.

Police were called to the scene and found the Murphys Creek man at a nearby address where he allegedly resisted arrest, with a police officer suffering a dog bite injury while trying to apprehend the man.

The police officer was also taken to the hospital in a stable condition but has since been released.

The 23-year-old was charged with one count each of grievous bodily harm and obstructing police and is due to face Toowoomba Magistrates Court on May 11.