Trae Laurie: Tabulam man faces charges of assault, stalking

A Tabulam man who is facing charges stemming from an alleged ride-on mower fight on Sunday has learnt the fate of his release appeal.

A Tabulam man who is facing charges stemming from an alleged ride-on mower fight over the weekend has asked to be released to take care of his sick partner.

Trae Laurie, 26, appeared before Lismore Local Court in custody on remand, facing charges of affray and stalking or intimidation on Monday.

The court heard he will plead not guilty to both charges.

Police will allege Mr Laurie was involved in a fight at an indigenous reserve outside of Tabulam on Sunday about 3.23pm.

In his release application, solicitor Belinda O’Dwyer said there was a compelling video which showed Mr Laurie attempting to flee from five armed people.

Ms O’Dwyer said her client was assaulted with an iron bar multiple times.

She said Mr Laurie had no injuries on his hands; she argued this showed he had not laid punches on the alleged victim.

She said witnesses present at the incident would support Mr Laurie’s version of events.

The court heard the accused, who attacked a man mowing the public reserve at the time of the incident, would claim any retaliation amounted to self-defence.

Ms O’Dwyer said her client had responsibilities in caring for his three young sons due to his partner’s recent cancer diagnosis.

“(His partner) says she really does need him,” she said.

The police prosecutor said the video showed only part of the incident and did not include the alleged fight between Mr Laurie and the complainant.

He noted Mr Laurie had been on parole for serious criminal convictions.

Ms O’Dwyer said granting her client bail to Casino would limit concerns to the community, despite Magistrate Michael Dakin noting the residence would not assist his partner in her illness.

“Better he’s in Casino to support his partner than in jail and not support her at all,” she said.

Magistrate Dakin said he was “sympathetic” to Mr Laurie’s partner but could not alleviate the unacceptable risk of further offending.

The court heard Mr Laurie’s partner lives in Tabulam and would continue to reside there if he was granted bail to live with family in Casino.

Given that risk, bail was refused and the matter was adjourned to Casino Local Court on February 10.