Jason Rudi Lourens, Jake Michael Micallef granted bail after appealing grievous bodily harm convictions

Two men who successfully set aside their convictions for breaking another man’s jaw on the Sunshine Coast have been released back into the community.

Jason Rudi Lourens (left) and Jake Michael Micallef (right) have successfully appealed their convictions for grievous bodily harm. Picture: Patrick Woods

Two men who successfully appealed their convictions over allegations they broke a man’s jaw during a boys’ weekend on the Sunshine Coast have been granted bail.

Jason Rudi Lourens and Jake Michael Micallef were released back into the community on conditional liberty on Thursday following their win in the Queensland Court of Appeal after guilty verdicts for grievous bodily harm were quashed.

They were found not guilty of common assault and acquitted at their trial.

The pair were taken into custody after being jailed mid last year for two years and six months, which would be suspended after serving 12 months in custody.

During their trial in the Maroochydore District Court, the jury were told the Morayfield and Dakabin men met the complainant while staying at a unit at Alexandra Headland for a boys’ weekend on July 21, 2021.

It was alleged by the prosecution Lourens and Micallef assaulted the victim and broke his jaw after tensions arose.

Lourens during his trial. Picture: Patrick Woods

Micallef outside court. Picture: Patrick Woods

The men pleaded not guilty on the basis of self defence – and aiding in self defence in Micallef’s case.

In a published appeal, Justice James Henry found the jury was incorrectly directed to exclude the men’s self-defence arguments if they accepted the complainant’s account of events.

Justice Henry set aside the convictions and ordered a new trial on the grievous bodily harm charge. They both remain acquitted of the count of common assault.

In Maroochydore District Court on Thursday, solicitors Nikki Larsen for Lourens and Grant Young for Micallef applied for bail for their clients, which was not opposed by legal officer Liam Dennis.

Mr Dennis told the court the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions notified the alleged victim of the appeal outcome however needed to further conference with him.

Judge Glen Cash granted the men bail and listed the new trial for May 26, which was estimated to go for five days.