Mangerton: Denny Williams, Allan Lawrence charged in relation to violent brawl incident

A man is fighting for his life after a botched armed robbery, which saw the alleged thieves run off with a handbag and some coins, ended in an alleged violent brawl.

Emergency services were called to Myuna Way in Mangerton shortly after 1pm on Monday following reports of a brawl. Picture: Google

One man is on life support at hospital following a wild brawl at Mangerton which left a number of people with serious injuries, a court has heard.

Two men, 29-year-old Allan Lawrence and 28-year-old Denny Williams, both appeared at Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday after being charged in relation to the violent incident.

Lawrence, charged with wounding a person with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm and affray, did not apply for bail. Denny, who was arrested at the scene on Monday and charged with armed robbery, was granted strict bail.

Documents tendered to the court during his bail application allege Williams robbed a unit on Johanson Cres, Mangerton, with a man who has not yet been charged.

The court documents state Williams, who resides with his father and brother in Sydney’s Baulkham Hills, allegedly wielded a screwdriver and covered his face with a bandana when he knocked on the unit’s door and demanded money.

“I know there’s cash here, you need to hand it over boys,” Williams is alleged to have said.

The allegedly robbery took place at a unit block on Johanson Cres, Mangerton. Picture: Google Maps

One of the alleged victims replied “There’s nothing here, all I’ve got are the coins, there is nothing else here”.

Williams allegedly held the screwdriver near the eyes of another man and threatened “I know there’s more you need to hand it over”.

The two alleged thieves then grabbed a woman’s handbag and nabbed a container full of coins.

Williams and the other man, who was allegedly armed with a folding knife, exited the unit block before running in opposite directions.

The documents state the woman who owned the handbag – who was buying ice cream at the time of the alleged robbery – saw Williams running on Payne St and yelled “He robbed us” before tackling him to the ground.

Nearby witnesses helped the woman restrain Williams until police arrived shortly after. Williams sustained injuries and was taken to Wollongong Hospital for treatment.

Detectives spoke to Williams while he was in hospital where he allegedly told them “It was my idea to go there and get on and then it just turned to s**t”.

Williams was released from hospital about 8.30pm on Monday and was taken to Wollongong Police Command where he was charged.

Allan Lawrence and Denny Williams appeared in Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday.

In court on Wednesday, police prosecutor Sergeant Sean Thackray said Williams had a “very poor record” and there was a “strong prosecution case” against him given he was arrested at the scene and “made admissions” to detectives.

Williams’ lawyer Amelia Skinner, told the court her client needed to be released to receive ongoing medical treatment for “some serious injuries”.

Magistrate Claire Girotto bailed Williams to his family’s Baulkham Hill’s address where he must remains unless he is in the presence of his father or brother.

In addition to a $1000 surety being forfeited, Williams was also ordered not to consume drugs or alcohol, not to enter Wollongong unless he is attending court and to adhere to a night-time curfew.

Both Williams and Lawrence’s matter were adjourned to a later date, with no pleas entered.