Toowoomba man David Hogan seeks bail on domestic assault charge

A man who allegedly fought with a woman who, a short time later, was found badly injured claimed police arrested the wrong man, a court has heard.

Picture: Kevin Farmer

A repeat domestic violence offender denied attacking his ex-partner, leaving her badly injured, while police assert footage shows the pair fighting that same night.

Former Toowoomba chef David Vance Grant Hogan, 32, appeared before Toowoomba Magistrates Court on December 26 seeking bail on multiple charges including breach of bail and assault occasioning bodily harm – domestic violence.

Mr Hogan was accused of assaulting his former partner, who police claim he was seen with on CCTV footage some time before they allegedly found her bloody and bruised.

The court heard police found the woman bleeding with a four centimetre gash on her cheek and a large wound to the back of her head which required staples to close.

Duty lawyer Claire Graham argued there was no evidence the woman’s injuries were caused by Mr Hogan, citing a weak circumstantial case.

“(She) had taken his wallet … he went and tried to get his wallet back, he was able to do so and the footage shows him walking away,” Ms Graham said.

“There is nothing in the material that indicates that she has identified my client as being the person who injured her.

“It seems he is charged on the basis police have seen him at some stage on the footage with her.”

Police prosecutor Nick Pratt argued, while there was no direct evidence, the circumstantial case was far from weak.

“There is behaviour on the CCTV which would suggest, at the very least, a bad behaviour inference could be drawn, the issue with the wallet means an inference can be drawn from that as well,” he alleged.

The court also heard Mr Hogan was on probation at the time of the alleged offending.

He was also on bail for domestic violence stalking charges in regards to another alleged victim, the court heard.

Acting Magistrate Robert Turra denied bail, citing Mr Hogan’s recent criminal history and potential escalation to the alleged assault.

“He’s got six previous domestic violence offences on his history, four appear this year alone,” he said.

“So it appears that the sanctions and interventions by police and the courts have not deterred this person from committing further domestic violence.”

Mr Hogan was remanded in custody and will appear back again in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on February 12, 2025.

Originally published as Toowoomba man David Hogan seeks bail on domestic assault charge