Brandon Bax charged with assault and robbery in Byron Bay
A man has allegedly robbed two people – assaulting one in the process on Byron Bay’s main street while on a surfing holiday. Here’s what we know.
Police & Courts
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A man has allegedly robbed two people – assaulting one in the process on Byron Bay’s main street while on a surfing holiday.
Brandon Bax, 21, and co-accused Harry Gibbs have been charged with assault intending to rob in company and robbery in company.
The pair are yet to enter pleas.
Bax appeared at Byron Bay Local Court via audiovisual link on Monday in a bid to be released from custody.
A police document of allegations states he came to Byron Bay from Cameron Park, Newcastle on a surfing holiday with a disability care support worker, police facts state.
Police documents allege Bax had been drinking at a licensed premises in Byron Bay’s CBD before the offences are said to have occurred on Jonson St about 2am on March 15.
“He was identified through CCTV with Gibbs in a random attempt robbery when seriously intoxicated by consuming vodka,” police allege.
Police told the court Bax has faced more than 30 serious previous charges and at the time was on a conditional release order until 2025 and a community correction order for earlier offences.
“He has a very violent, threatening and heightened nature with some underlying mental health psychotic disorder,” police allege.
“Even when sober he is violent, threatening and unstable, police believe he may reoffend or seriously injure a member of the public.”
Police state Bax said he has been holding down a job as a cook and suffers from depression and post-traumatic stress.
“He is in total denial of these offences,” police state.
“Money was (allegedly) stolen from perfectly innocent people with no provocation involved.”
Police prosecutor Shane Arie argued bail should be denied to keep the community safe.
“He was on a conditional release order and a community corrections order when it happened,” he said.
“The section five threshold (for a sentence of imprisonment) has been crossed.”
Defence lawyer Natasha Wood said Bax’s adult criminal record began in 2022.
“He is a vulnerable young Aboriginal man suffering from a disability,” she said.
“He is originally from Newcastle, he was on a holiday in Byron with a support worker because he likes surfing.”
“He wants to reside in Newcastle and has a job as a chef at New Hands Cafe.”
Throughout the bail application Bax was hysterically crying.
Magistrate Karen Stafford granted Bax bail with strict conditions to report to Newcastle police station, not to contact the co-accused and to stay out of Byron.
His case has been adjourned to May 13.
Gibbs will face court on March 25.
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