Head injuries leave victim in coma

A MAN is in an induced coma after being assaulted in the Lockyer Valley at the weekend.

A MAN is in an induced coma after being assaulted in the Lockyer Valley at the weekend.

Adam Edward Payne, 35, was charged with grievous bodily harm along with a number of unrelated drug and weapon charges after allegedly kicking a man in the head and threatening to douse him in petrol.

He faced a bail hearing at Toowoomba Magistrates Court yesterday where police alleged Payne assaulted a 40-year-old man on Rosella Avenue in Regency Downs, east of Gatton, about 11pm on Saturday.

Police allege Payne kicked the victim in the head and threatened to douse him and witnesses in petrol if they spoke to police.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Karen Hall alleged Payne continued to assault the victim after he had passed out.

"(Mr Payne) bashed the victim severely about the head, furthermore repeatedly kicking the victim in the head whilst he was on the ground unconscious," she said.

The injured man was taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane with serious head and facial injuries.

He was yesterday in an induced coma in a serious but stable condition.

Payne, a full time groundskeeper at the Gatton campus of the University of Queensland, was remanded in custody.

The court was told he had an extensive criminal history and was serving a suspended sentence from a wounding matter in 2008.

Magistrate Bruce Schemioneck said he believed Payne was a threat to the victim and witnesses of the crime.

"I am not satisfied if I granted you bail you would not harass or intimidate the victim or the witnesses," Mr Schemioneck said.

In denying him bail Mr Schemioneck said Payne had a "concerning criminal history".

"You are obviously a man prone to violence," he said.

Payne was charged with a range of weapons and drugs charges along with grievous bodily harm.

He will appear in Ipswich Magistrates Court on November 23.

Originally published as Head injuries leave victim in coma