Douglas John Graham granted bail to attend Woorabinda funeral and child’s birth

A man accused of causing serious injuries to a woman during an altercation has been granted bail to attend a funeral and be at the birth of his child. Full details here.

A man has been granted bail to attend a funeral and the birth of his child. Picture: iStock

A man accused of causing serious injuries to a woman and breaking her arm during an altercation has been granted bail to attend a funeral and be at the birth of his child.

Douglas John Graham, 29, who has been charged with grievous bodily harm, applied for two sets of bail in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 20 – one for his release from custody after a change in the evidence in his assault case and the other for temporary bail allowing him to attend a family funeral and be at the birth of his child.

It was the second bail application since his arrest in February for this alleged offence.

Defence lawyer Ashley Reynolds said there was now another statement from the alleged victim.

She said there was only one witness who described alleged punches to the victim’s face, which has been denied by Graham.

Ms Reynolds said Graham’s medical records were recently provided, showing he had suffered a fracture to his cheek bone.

She said neither of the two witnesses saw the start of the altercation, didn’t see how the victim’s arm was broken nor how Graham sustained his fracture.

Ms Reynolds said one of the parties told police the victim had tried to hit “him” with something and the defendant had blocked it, causing it to bounce off his face.

She said as the evidence now stood, her client had prospects of a defence and the matter had been committed to the district court in Emerald.

Magistrate Jason Schubert said there was evidence before the court the alleged victim had withdrawn her complaint of an alleged assault by the defendant.

Ms Reynolds said the change in evidence now meant it would be unjust for her client to remain remanded in custody while waiting a trial, and he wished to attend the funeral of a family member and be there when his child was born, of which the due date was August 5.

However, police prosecutor Courtney Brown raised concerns the birth of the child “gives (Graham) every motivation to avoid police and not surrender back into custody”.

She also raised concerns the funeral would be “putting him back in a community at an emotional event such as Sorry Business with the victim present at the funeral”.

Ms Brown said Woorabinda was a “notoriously tight community”.

Mr Schubert said the alleged offence was serious with significant injuries to the victim.

He said Graham’s criminal record included public nuisance, obstruct police, attempted robbery, supply drugs, robbery with actual violence and possessing dangerous drugs.

Mr Schubert said the defendant had no history of breaching bail or failing to appear.

Mr Schubert granted Graham bail and adjourned his matters to August 8.