Zak Lee Pescud refused bail after being charged with grievous bodily harm

An Ipswich man has faced court after he was accused of slashing another man’s throat in the Toowoomba CBD in what police allege was a violent and unprovoked attack.

A man was glassed at a Toowoomba hotel early Saturday morning.

An Ipswich man has faced court accused of slashing another man’s throat in an “extremely violent and unprovoked” hotel assault.

Zak Lee Pescud appeared in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Monday after he was charged with grievous bodily harm over the alleged weekend assault.

Police allege the 37-year-old was drinking at the Shamrock Hotel near Toowoomba’s CBD with work colleagues on the night of Friday, January 28 when the alleged victim and his partner arrived about 10.15pm.

The court was told the alleged victim, a 25-year-old man, had been in the main bar area but had left to go to the smokers area but when he came back into the bar there was an interaction between him and Mr Pescud.

Mr Pescud is accused of then launching an “unprovoked” attack against the victim, striking him from behind before allegedly punching him in the face while holding a beer glass.

The court was told CCTV footage allegedly shows Mr Pescud striking the victim up to 15 times to the face and head, causing serious injuries.

In making an application for bail, Mr Pescud’s solicitor Nathan Bouchier, of Bouchier Khan Lawyers, said while the police’s evidence appeared quite strong his client had a short criminal history, with no previous violent offences.

His work as a labourer working with asbestos and in demolition also meant that he was not at risk of failing to appear as he would be jeopardising his employment, and that the risk of further reoffending could be addressed by bail conditions such as an undertaking not to consume alcohol, abide by a strict curfew and not attend any licenced premises.

“There will be a significant delay because of the nature of the charge, it must proceed through the district court, and in my submission given the delay and the fact that the risk of offending can be reduced to an acceptable level he has shown cause as to why his detention is not justified,” he said.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Alister Windsor said bail was opposed, and told the court the alleged victim and Mr Pescud were not known to each other, and the alleged assault was unprovoked.

“Given the alcohol-fuelled violence that’s involved the court can’t shy away from taking this very seriously, especially given the injuries suffered,” he said.

“The seriousness and unpredictability of this offence renders the defendant an unacceptable risk of committing further offences which would justify his remand in custody.”

Magistrate Graham Lee said given the strong prosecution case and the nature of the extremely serious alleged offence cause was not shown and bail was refused.

Mr Pescud has not entered a plea to the charge and the matter was adjourned to March 28.

Toowoomba Detective Senior Sergeant Paul McCusker said the alleged victim was recovering from the serious but not life-threatening neck wound.

Originally published as Zak Lee Pescud refused bail after being charged with grievous bodily harm