Joshua Denniss’ alleged confession after horrific hotel bashing in Wollongong CBD: ‘I’ve murdered someone’

A Wollongong man had to be restrained by two prison staff when he appeared in court via video link on Friday, three days after he allegedly tried to bash a man to death inside a hotel in the city’s CBD.

A convicted criminal accused of nearly bashing a man to death inside the foyer of a Wollongong hotel early on Tuesday morning later told police “I’ve murdered someone”, a court has heard.

Joshua Denniss, 38, arrived at Wollongong Police Station just before 4am on Tuesday, less than an hour after he allegedly launched a vicious and unprovoked attack on night manager Amos Baker inside the Adina Apartment Hotel on Market St in the city’s CBD.

Officers who rushed to the hotel found Mr Baker in the hotel office, attempting to administer first aid to himself.

He was taken to Wollongong Hospital with severe facial fractures and bleeding on the brain and was placed into an induced coma.

In Wollongong Local Court on Friday, Magistrate Chris McRobert said Mr Baker was currently still in a coma and it was “uncertain” whether he would survive.

Documents tendered to the court said Denniss, who also goes by the name Michael Shaw, was staying at the Adina with his sister and a friend when he approached Mr Baker at the reception counter.

The two spoke briefly before Denniss allegedly launched an unprovoked attack on Mr Baker, repeatedly punching him in the head and face and causing him to collapse on the ground.

The documents said Mr Baker lay motionless on the floor as Denniss continued the vicious assault, allegedly punching him more than 30 times.

Police allege CCTV footage of the incident shows Denniss then lay over the top of Mr Baker’s face for nearly a minute before getting up, stepping on his stomach and walking away.

Joshua Denniss, also known as Michael Shaw, is charged with the attempted murder of Amos Baker. Picture: Facebook

Police sought to air the graphic footage in court as they argued against Denniss’ bail application, however, Magistrate Chris McRobert asked for it not to be played.

Documents tendered in court claim Mr Baker managed to drag himself into the hotel’s office and tried to render first aid to himself.

Meanwhile, Dennis allegedly kicked through a door on the hotel’s second storey and crossed onto the roof of the neighbouring Anytime Fitness before jumping down onto Corrimal St.

The court documents said Denniss walked the short distance to Wollongong Police Station where he allegedly told an officer “I’ve murdered someone”.

The police saw blood splattered all over Denniss‘ clothing and after speaking with him briefly, rushed to the Adina and discovered Mr Baker still in the office.

Mr Baker was taken to Wollongong Hospital and placed in an induced coma.

Denniss was arrested and charged him with attempted murder and causing wounding/grievous bodily harm with the intent to murder.

The court was told that when interviewed, police allege Denniss agreed he told police he‘d murdered someone while going on to say “I, um, punched this guy’s face in” because “he wouldn’t let me back into the apartment”.

He then declined to continue with the interview.

The Adina Apartment Hotel in Wollongong was the scene of the alleged bashing. Picture: Dylan Arvela

Denniss was remanded in custody without bail, but did not appear in court as scheduled on Wednesday or Thursday because he was “too aggressive and volatile” to be moved into a video link suite.

When he finally did appear in court on Friday, Denniss was handcuffed and held down by two prison officers.

Denniss’ lawyer, Matthew Barnes, sought bail on his client’s behalf, saying Denniss wanted to be at liberty to “properly address his mental health”. He said if granted bail, Denniss would live at Dicey Riley’s Hotel on Crown St, Wollongong.

Denniss repeatedly interjected during the proceedings, saying “he wouldn’t let me re-enter the hotel” and “I went outside to have a cigarette and he wouldn’t let me go back in the hotel”.

When police opposed Denniss’ bid for bail, he yelled out “It’s a conspiracy, your Honour”.

Magistrate McRobert refused to release Denniss, describing the case against him as “strong to overwhelming”.

“As of this moment [the victim] is in a coma and his survival is uncertain... I entertain some hope he may recover,” the magistrate said.

“The attack was extremely violent and sustained … it was completely unpredictable and no bail conditions could restore predictability to that behaviour.”

The court heard Denniss was on a suspended sentence from Queensland at the time for “attacking a watch house officer”.

The matter will return to court on November 2.