Ezkiel Copeland’s bail application knocked back at Lismore District Court

A North Coast man’s bail application has been dismissed after he horrifically attacked an elderly man with a large fence post. Here’s what we know.

Ezkiel Copeland’s bail application was dismissed on July 10, 2024. Picture: Facebook

A Goonellabah man’s bail application has been dismissed after he horrifically attacked an elderly man with a large fence post.

Ezkiel Copeland pleaded guilty at Lismore District Court last Wednesday to affray, being armed with the intention to commit an indictable offence, two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm and two counts of failing to appear.

Police facts state the 23-year-old was walking with a group about 2am on Shearman Dr, Goonellabah on February 8, last year causing a loud disturbance.

The group fled after one member smashed the victim’s caravan window, which was parked outside his home on the street.

When the victim, a former police officer, was inspecting the damage the group returned “shouting obscenities and yelling”, causing the elderly man to fear for his safety and head back into his yard, court documents state.

Copeland attacked the victim outside his Lismore home. Picture: Facebook

“Copeland moved towards the victim and yelled ‘get out of here you old dog’ and began throwing punches at him,” police facts state.

Co-accused Tyreece Gomes, 21, threw a pane of glass at the victim injuring himself in the process and called out for an ambulance.

Meanwhile the group was attacking the victim as he tried to defend himself.

Copeland picked up a nearby fence post and hit the victim in the leg with force, police facts state.

“It caused considerable pain, bruising and swelling to the victim,” documents continue.

Copeland then tried to coax the victim out of his yard, police facts state.

“Come out your yard you dog, you’ll probably get me done for trespassing, come outside your yard to Shearman St my brother,” Copeland said.

Copeland tried to get the victim to come into the street. Picture: File

When the victim told Copeland there was a camera outside his house he said “I don’t give a f--k” and “f--k the police”, court documents state.

“I’m going to kill you dog. You hit my brother I’m coming back to kill you,” he said.

Copeland appeared at court through an audio-visual link with a moustache wearing prison greens.

One of his family members present was heard crying in the public gallery.

Copeland’s defence lawyer said the offending was “not premeditated” as Copeland used a weapon that was already at the scene.

She added Copeland was young at the time of the offending and had already spent more than 100 days in custody, noting he also suffers from a brain injury.

The outside of Lismore Court House. Picture: Savannah Pocock

Magistrate Michael Dakin opposed the bail application and said the community was “sick of this type of behaviour”.

“Copeland attacked an unassuming member of the public investigating the damage to his caravan,” he said.

“He collected a large timber fence post and said to the victim: ‘Here you go motherf--ker’ before raising the post and hitting him on the leg’.”

The case has been adjourned to July 24.

Gomes pleaded guilty to damaging property, intimidation, affray and failing to appear in accordance with bail. He was convicted and given a two-year term of imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 15 months.