Scott James McPherson charged with grievous bodily harm, assault, trespass

A brother has denied allegations he broke his sister’s jaw during a violent outburst, before brandishing a hammer at another man. DETAILS.

A brother is accused of punching his sister and threatening a man with a hammer during a violent outburst that left her jaw broken and her home damaged.

A brother allegedly punched his sister during a violent outburst that left her jaw broken and her home damaged before later threatening a man with a hammer.

Scott James McPherson allegedly lost his temper during a discussion with his sister, who he had been living with in Slade Point, about housing on November 12.

He faced Mackay Magistrates Court the next day via a video-link from the watch house with an application for bail.

Magistrate John Aberdeen said Mr McPherson had told his sister “good news” that his ex-partner was taking him back and would be moving back in with her.

“The victim then expressed her concern that if the defendant were to remain at (the ex-partner’s) residence, then she was worried what might occur with the Department of Housing,” Mr Aberdeen said.

“As the victim said this (Mr McPherson) is alleged to have punched her with a closed fist on the left cheek.

“She’s lost her footing from the force that was delivered to her by the punch, and she’s fallen to the ground.

“She took her hands away from her face and saw a lot of blood in her hands (and) her hair.

“(Mr McPherson) is alleged to have then stood over her, yelling at her and calling her names.”

The court heard McPherson allegedly continued yelling around the house as his sister locked herself in her room, calling triple-0, before banging on her door.

Mr Aberdeen said after a while the alleged victim heard the front door slam and emerged to see a large hole in the outside of her bedroom door, as well as damage to the front security screen.

She was taken to hospital where medical staff assessed that her jaw had been broken and would require surgery, the court heard.

At some point on the same day, Mr McPherson is alleged to have trespassed into a Slade Point yard and threatened a man with a hammer.

His lawyer Daniel Lane of ATSILS said Mr McPherson claimed the hammer had been thrown at him by the man and denies punching his sister.

Mr Lane told the court Mr McPherson was applying for bail as his partner was understood to be pregnant, and was open to a GPS tracker or other measures.

Mr McPherson is charged with grievous bodily harm (DV), trespass, common assault, two counts of wilful damage (DV) and three counts of possessing schedule 4 or schedule 8 drugs. He has not entered any pleas.

The court heard Mr McPherson has an extensive history of violence, including convictions for common assault, assaulting police, and burglary.

Mr Aberdeen said it was a “real concern that if he was given bail he may commit further offences of a violent nature”.

Mr McPherson’s bail was denied and his matters adjourned to January 27, 2024.