Karewera Rerekura: man pleads not guilty over Summernats brawl charge

A Central Coast NSW man charged over an alleged brawl at Summernats has pleaded not guilty at the ACT Magistrates Court.

A Central Coast NSW man charged over an alleged assault at Summernats has pleaded not guilty.

Karewera Te Kaitahi Mangu Rerekura, 27, is charged with recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm in relation to an alleged brawl at the popular revhead festival.

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

Mr Rerekura was arrested on Monday and faced Wyong Court on Tuesday where he was extradited to the ACT.

He first appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday where he applied for bail.

His bail application was stood down during that appearance due to questions about whether his case fell under section 9.d of the bail act, which requires the existence of special and exceptional circumstances if bail is granted.

The court heard on Wednesday Mr Rerekura had outstanding matters before the court in NSW due to be heard in July.

Karewera Rerekura has pleaded not guilty to recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm during an alleged brawl at Summernats. Picture by Damian Shaw

Mr Rerekura’s lawyer, Ana Qvist, previously told the court her client was already a father of four and his partner was pregnant with his fifth child.

She said her client was the sole provider for his family and lengthy time on remand would plunge the young family into a dire financial situation.

On Thursday Ms Qvist told the court delays for Mr Rerekura’s NSW matters occurred due to Covid-19.

“If not for Covid-19 we would not be in this realm,” Ms Qvist said.

“The delay is of no fault of the defendant.”

Police allege a man was assaulted during an alleged altercation at the 2022 Summernats festival. Picture: Rodney Stevens

Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker, who appeared by phone at court, ultimately refused bail for the defendant.

She told the court among other offences Mr Rerekura was facing a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm dating back to 2020 in the NSW courts.

Ms Walker said 9.d was still relevant and the potential financial hardship for the family did not constitute a special or exceptional circumstance.

The magistrate set a date for a pre-hearing mention on May 23.