Karewera Rerekura fronts court over alleged Summernats assault

A Central Coast NSW man has fronted the ACT Magistrates Court over an alleged assault at Summernats.

A man has faced the ACT Magistrates Court over an alleged assault at Summernats in January.

Central Coast NSW man Karewera Te Kaitahi Mangu Rerekura, 27, fronted court on Wednesday via video link charged with recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Mr Rerekura has not entered any pleas and applied for bail which the prosecution opposed.

The prosecutor told the court the defendant had outstanding criminal matters in NSW at the local court level due to be heard in July.

A man has faced court after being charged in relation to an alleged assault at Summernats. Picture: Rodney Stevens

Defence lawyer Ana Qvist told the court the charges her client was facing in NSW were “of some age” and had been delayed because of Covid.

Ms Qvist told the court Mr Rerekura had broken his ankle and required the use of a wheelchair.

The prosecutor told the court Mr Rerekura sustained his injury by allegedly attempting to “abscond” from police.

Ms Qvist stated her client had “paid the price of his stupidity” because of his injury.

She said the 27-year-old was a father of four, with a fifth child on the way, and was the provider for his family.

She said if her client spent a lengthy amount of time on remand he would lose his work and his family would suffer financially.

“(His family) will not be able to pay rent,” Ms Qvist said.

She argued it was inappropriate to keep him in custody stating that a term of full time custody was not guaranteed.

A man charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm will reappear in court to resume his bail application.

The prosecutor argued the bail application fell under 9.d of the Bail Act, which means there must be special and exceptional circumstances for bail to be granted.

Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker said it was not clear if the bail application was subject to the section, and stood down the matter until Thursday.

Police allege at 3.30pm on January 8 a man was assaulted during an altercation in the grandstand of the burnout area at Summernats festival.

Tuggeranong police conducted an investigation and identified a person of interest following a public call for information.

A warrant for Mr Rerekura arrest was issued earlier this month and he was arrested on Monday.

He appeared before Wyong Court on Tuesday when he was extradited to the ACT.

Mr Rerekura will remain in custody until he appears in court on Thursday to resume his bail application.