Two men accused of attacking man with cleaver challenge attempted murder charges

Two young men allegedly involved in a violent Toowoomba home invasion that left a man with a cleaver lodged in his chest are attempting to have their attempted murder charges dropped.

Two young men who police allege went on a property rampage across Toowoomba, almost killing a homeowner in the process, are attempting to have their attempted murder charges downgraded.

Eliah John Bligh, 19, and Denzel Morris Neville Hinch, 20, were arrested in November 2023 following an extensive manhunt lasting three weeks.

Police allege that a month prior the pair broke into a Rockville home armed with weapons when they confronted a 68-year-old man who had been making breakfast.

The man was rushed to the Toowoomba Hospital with a cleaver lodged in chest.

Police at the scene of the Trousdell Court incident where a 68-year-old man was allegedly attacked with a tomahawk.

While on the run, police allege the pair attempted to carjack multiple people in Harlaxton while armed with a meat cleaver, a knife, and an axe.

They also allege Mr Hinch broke into a Toowoomba home on Hill St, and assaulted a man while armed with a piece of wood.

The pair had their matters mentioned before Toowoomba Supreme Court on Wednesday, April 6.

Crown prosecutor Peter Blake-Segovia told the court the DPP was waiting on submissions from both of the accused’s lawyers before making a decision on the pair’s charges.

“The submission (from Mr Hinch’s lawyer) hasn’t been considered as of yet, my office was waiting on the submission in relation to Mr Bligh,” he said.

“It would be beneficial for my office to consider the submissions in tandem, given the nature of the indictment and the fact that they’re co-accused.”

Police arrested Denzel Hinch and Eliah Bligh and charged them with attempted murder following a tomahawk attack on October 18.

Mr Blake-Segovia said he had only received a submission for Mr Bligh the day before the matter was mentioned, noting the cases may not be able to proceed in the upcoming Supreme Court sitting.

“Primarily because the nature of the submission is one which would require consideration by the director (of public prosecutions) given the nature of the submission, which is that it’s a charge of attempted murder to be downgraded to a charge of malicious act with intent,” he said.

He noted Hinch also had a number of charges before the lower courts, which had the potential to be heard at the same time as the Supreme Court charges.

Mr Hinch was represented by barrister Frank Martin, who was instructed by McConnell & Saldumbide Criminal Lawyers.

Detectives released vision of the arrests, showing Bligh was found hiding in a bedroom cupboard. Picture: QPS

Mr Martin said he was disappointed in the Crown’s decision to consider the co-accused’s submissions at the same time, arguing it wasn’t necessary or appropriate.

“They could be dealt with separately,” he said.

“Their roles were different.

“(Mr Bligh) was the principal offender.

“My client is charged, same as the co-accused… with attempted murder or alternatively entering with intent to cause a serious injury.”

He said police allege Mr Bligh was the one who struck the man with a cleaver in the chest, which almost hit the man’s heart.

“It doesn’t do much damage, but it lodges in there,” he said.

“My client isn’t present, he leaves when this confrontation (starts), he leaves the premises but is outside.”

Mr Martin said putting the attempted murder charge aside, Mr Hinch indicated he would plead guilty to his remaining property offences which were connected to the violent offence.

“One would think the two (indictments) would bundle together because (the crimes) are over a short period of time and it’s the same type of offending,” he said.

“(They’re allegedly) going around to people’s homes, breaking into homes with weapons to steal keys to get the cars, and they do it to a number of places.”

Hinch attempted to flee the Toowoomba address police stormed before being arrested in the backyard. Picture: QPS

Acting as town agent for Mr Bligh, Skuse Graham Criminal Lawyers managing partner Claire Graham said given the Crown had just been supplied with a submission, an adjournment to the next call over was sought.

Justice Catherine Muir said she would give the Crown a further three business days to consider Mr Hinch’s submission, and set it down to be reviewed on Monday, May 12, and said she expected the matter to be heard that week.

She adjourned Mr Bligh’s case to be mentioned before the court in August.

Both men were remanded in custody.

Mr Hinch has been charged with 31 offences which included, attempted murder, entering a home and committing crimes, stealing cars, stealing, assault occasioning bodily harm while armed and in company, attempting to enter a dwelling to commit a crime, attempted robbery with violence while armed in company, attempted robbery with actual violence, and receiving a stolen gun or ammunition.

Mr Bligh was charged with seven offences, which included attempted murder, stealing cars, entering a home with intent, and attempting to enter a home to commit a crime.

Originally published as Two men accused of attacking man with cleaver challenge attempted murder charges