Maxwell Alfred Abel denied bail after 21st birthday “king hit”

A Gympie man was left unconscious and bleeding from the ear when a man, said to be wanted by Victorian police, allegedly “king hit” him at a 21st birthday party.

A man who a court heard is wanted by Victorian police has been denied bail after he allegedly “king hit” a Gympie man and left him unconscious at a 21st birthday party.

Maxwell Alfred Abel applied for bail in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday after he was charged with assaulting a 47-year-old and causing him bodily harm at a Gympie address.

A bail affidavit stated Mr Abel, who was allegedly violent towards multiple partygoers, was being escorted from the party when he lashed out at the man.

“ … (Mr Abel) has then king hit the victim in the side of the head with a clenched fist resulting in the victim falling directly to the ground unconscious,” the document said.

The victim, who described Mr Abel as being a friend before the alleged attack, couldn’t remember anything more until he woke up in hospital and suffered broken ribs and a burst eardrum.

“When I got to … (the man) he was coming to and trying to stand up but staggering,” a witness statement said.

“He had blood coming from his left ear and I remember he was having trouble focusing as he wasn’t looking at me.”

Maxwell Alfred Abel applied for bail in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday after he was charged with assaulting a 47-year-old and causing him bodily harm at a Gympie address. Â Picture: Social media.

Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard Mr Abel left the scene before handing himself in to the Noosa Police Station on Wednesday.

Police prosecutor Mark Burrell said Mr Abel was wanted by Victorian Police for “serious matters” and had fled the state before committing the alleged assault on January 15.

He said Mr Abel posed an unacceptable risk of fleeing the state and committing more offences.

“He is a dangerous man, he is alleged to have committed serious offences in Victoria, he has shown he is willing to flee jurisdictions to avoid criminal consequences of his actions and is now committing further offences,” he said.

Senior Constable Burrell said there were no bail conditions that could reduce the risk.

Duty lawyer Ben Rynderman told the court any risks associated with giving Mr Abel bail could be reduced with a no contact order, a residential condition and a GPS tracker.

“The court could be satisfied my client’s continued detention is not justified,” he said.

He said Mr Abel had failed to appear but hadn’t been pursued by Victorian police, despite them knowing his whereabouts.

Mr Rynderman said Mr Abel denied the offending.

He said witnesses of the alleged incident had been drinking and there was known to be some animosity between them and Mr Abel.

Mr Rynderman said the evidence against the 38-year-old was not “bullet proof”.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist said the case against Mr Abel was “very strong”.

Mr Stjernqvist said he had previously been given prison sentences for two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm.

“Mr Abel is a violent person he couldn't be described in any other way,” he said.

He said the conditions suggested by Mr Rynderman couldn’t ease his concerns.

“Mr Abel is an unacceptable risk of reoffending, he is an unacceptable risk of failing to appear, he is an unacceptable risk of endangering the welfare and safety of the witnesses and victims,” he said.

Mr Abel’s bail application was denied.

He will face court again on May 9.