Logan man Daniel James Martin, 33, charged with murder of handyman Alan Richard Hodges, 61

A Logan man accused of assaulting an elderly handyman who performed work at his Park Ridge South home, has faced court to have his charge upgraded to murder following the man’s death.

Daniel James Martin was charged with murder over the death of an elderly handyman in Park Ridge South. Picture – generic: Glenn Campbell/NcaNewsWire

A Logan man accused of assaulting an elderly handyman who performed work at his house, has faced court charged with murder after the man died in hospital earlier this week.

Daniel James Martin, 33, faced Beenleigh Magistrates Court this morning, after he allegedly got into a fight with a 61-year-old handyman at his Park Ridge South home.

Alan Richard Hodges died in hospital on Tuesday, October 10 at Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Mr Martin was previously charged with acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm and was granted bail at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday, September 30.

Police prosecutor Tahlia Boettcher told Brisbane Magistrates Court at the time a “consensual” fight broke out.

“That consensual fight is probably quite heated giving consideration to the (alleged) fact that the victim has had to grab the defendant’s neck and testicles whilst keeping a grip on them,” she said then.

Police allege that when Mr Martin, who has no criminal history, entered the Stony Camp Rd home he attacked Hodges, punching him and causing him to fall and hit his head.

Emergency crews were called at about 7.30pm following reports a man had been struck in the head, causing him to fall to the ground, where he was then allegedly struck multiple times.

When Mr Martin returned to court on October 10, defence lawyer Nicole Conlan requested it be adjourned to Beaudesert Magistrates Court on October 28 for a committal mention.

The court heard a brief of evidence was ordered which was due on November 20 but now that the charge was upgrade to murder, further evidence would need to be gathered.

Detective Acting Inspector Peter Fletcher said police believed the two men had been in conflict for some time before the fight over an “internal dispute”.

“As they were known to each other there was ongoing issues between the two parties,” he said.

“And as we find with some of these things, they start off as a small incident and then spiral out of control and end up with these devastating outcomes which really affect families.”

He said this was an incredibly difficult time for the alleged victim’s family.

“Any of these types of incidents where a loved one passes away is terrible on the next of kin.”