Man’s brain artery slashed in alleged attack at King George Square over rap music

A man was left in a coma after allegedly being attacked with a wine bottle by a complete stranger in Brisbane’s King George Square last night, a court has heard.

The alleged attack happened at King George Square in the Brisbane CBD last night. Picture: David Clark

A man is unconscious in hospital after a complete stranger allegedly attacked him with a wine bottle in King George Square last night – cutting open an artery in his brain.

Brisbane Magistrates Court heard during a bail application for the accused, 29-year-old Jamie Jason Hasic-O’Connor, how a brief exchange over rap music allegedly sparked the episode of “extensive violence”.

Magistrate Julian Noud said Hasic-O’Connor had been sitting across from the other man near the Pig and Whistle at King George Square, when the complainant made a remark objecting to the rap music Hasic-O’Connor was “engaging in”.

Police will allege Hasic-O’Connor punched the other man, before picking up a nearby wine bottle and using it to strike him in the head.

The court heard the complainant suffered a deep laceration to the head, which police prosecutor Jordan Theed said had cut open an artery within his brain.

Mr Theed said the complainant was still “in essence comatose in hospital or under sedation” while operations are ongoing.

Hasic-O’Connor, of East Brisbane, was arrested following the incident and charged with one count of grievous bodily harm.

Mr Theed said the current allegations were based on the defendant’s own version, as police have not yet been able to interview the complainant.

“Even on the defendant’s version, which on my submission is as good as it’s going to get, he’s looking at an extensive period of time in custody,” Mr Theed said.

Hasic-O’Connor’s Legal Aid duty lawyer submitted that CCTV of the incident would be relevant to assess whether there was any defence available to Hasic-O’Connor, who claimed the other man “insulted” him.

It was submitted any potential risk of Hasic-O’Connor reoffending could be appropriately ameliorated by bail conditions that he not contact the complainant or attend King George Square.

Mr Theed said Hasic-O’Connor had an “extensive history of violence” however, and that such conditions wouldn’t ameliorate risks he posed to other members of the public.

Mr Noud found Hasic-O’Connor to be an unacceptable risk of committing further offences, noting his criminal history included lengthy periods in custody for serious violent offending.

He denied Hasic-O’Connor’s bail and adjourned the case to April 22.