Coffs Harbour assault accused face court on serious charges

The mother of one of the four young men accused of the brutal bashing on a Coffs Harbour street was emotional as a magistrate decided on whether her son should be freed.

Daniel Russell leaves court at Coffs Harbour on Tuesday, February 15. Picture: Janine Watson

Two of the men accused of a brutal bashing on a Coffs Harbour street have been freed on bail while two others remain in jail on remand after their matters were mentioned in court.

Dion Bridge-Johnson, 22, Ashley Mansfield, 26, Joshua Caulfield, 23 and Daniel Russell, 20, are facing charges in relation to the assault of a 46-year-old Coffs Harbour man.

Their matters were mentioned in Coffs Harbour Local Court on Tuesday.

Police allege the man was approached by the four before being punched repeatedly until he fell to the ground. He was then allegedly stomped on while unconscious.

Police were called to the scene at Bonville Street about 4am on November 28, where they found the man unconscious with serious injuries.

The alleged victim was taken to Coffs Harbour Base Hospital in a critical condition but a few days later was reported to be “stable”.

His injuries included facial fractures and an internal brain injury, according to court documents.

The court heard that the alleged victim’s injuries were no longer life threatening.

That fact formed part of the argument for bail for two of the co-accused.

Youngest of the four

The first to appear before the court on Tuesday was the youngest of the four, Daniel Neil Russell, who is currently out on bail living with family at Urunga.

Daniel Russell leaves court at Coffs Harbour on Tuesday, February 15. Picture: Janine Watson

He is charged with causing grievous bodily harm to person with intent; assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray.

His matter was mentioned briefly.

Bail was continued and the case adjourned to March 29.

Mother emotional as bail granted

It was a busy day at local court on Tuesday with 150 matters listed.

To help deal with the workload a second courtroom was opened up with Magistrate Paul McMahon presiding.

Mr McMahon heard Dion Bridge-Johnson’s plea for bail.

He is charged with causing grievous bodily harm to person with intent; assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray.

Mr Bridge-Johnson had been remanded in custody at Clarence Correctional Facility since the time of the incident and he appeared via audio visual link as his mother and another supporter looked on.

The court heard in November last year that Mr Bridge-Johnson returned to the scene of the alleged assault and handed himself in to police.

Police allege a 46-year-old man was approached by the four men before being punched repeatedly until he fell to the ground on Bonville Street. Picture: Janine Watson

He was the first to be arrested.

On Tuesday his lawyer Scott James successfully argued that Bridge-Johnson should be granted bail to live at his mother’s house in Sawtell.

He proposed a number of conditions including reporting to the Coffs Harbour Police Station seven days a week and abiding by a 7pm to 7am curfew.

Mr Bridge-Johnson must abstain from alcohol and drugs and not contact any of the co-accused.

Police prosecutor Dave Sams added an extra condition, excluding him from entering any licensed venues.

His mother wiped away tears as she realised her son would be granted bail.

Mr Bridge-Johnson repeatedly replied “yep” as Mr McMahon read each of his bail conditions and also told him to keep a copy of the bail conditions in his back pocket.

“Yes, will do,” he said.

Father of six

Lawyer Nicola Breward represented Ashley Mansfield who, the court heard in November, was a cleaner and father of six children.

It heard Mr Mansfield had been living with family members in Inverell to get a fresh start but was in Coffs Harbour at the time of the alleged assault to see his children.

He is charged with causing grievous bodily harm to person with intent; assault occasioning actual bodily harm; affray; and stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (personal).

The court had previously heard he had a history of substance abuse, mainly methamphetamines, and had attended rehabilitation at Adele House and had abstained from narcotics for the 10 months prior to the incident.

Ms Breward did not apply for bail and the matter was adjourned to March 29.

Father worked at racetrack

Joshua Caulfield is charged with causing grievous bodily harm to person with intent; assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray.

In November last year when the matter first came before the court it was heard that Mr Caulfield, who was recently diagnosed with schizophrenia, worked at the Coffs Harbour Racetrack and had a six-year-old daughter who he had custody of on weekends.

Ms Breward did not apply for bail and his matter was also adjourned to March 29.