Harrison Hronopoulos: One punch accused claims self defence
A man from Sydney’s northern beaches has appeared in court over a melee on the eve of Australia Day which left another man fighting for his life.
Manly
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The young man accused of a one-punch attack that left its victim fighting for life on the eve of Australia Day will claim he was defending himself, a court has heard.
Harrison Hronopoulos was charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm after the alleged attack at St Andrews Square in Sydney’s CBD on January 25.
Its alleged victim, 22-year-old Jeyegganesh Eswaran, was found unresponsive at the scene about 8.30pm before being rushed to St Vincent’s Hospital in a critical but stable condition with head, brain and dental injuries.
Police claim Hronopoulos, 21, punched Eswaran in the face, who fell to the ground and hit his head on the concrete.
But Downing Centre Local Court heard on Tuesday that the Beacon Hill resident would argue the blow was a result of self defence.
Defence lawyer Omar Juweinat entered a plea of not guilty on his client’s behalf, who was excused from attending.
“It will be self defence,” Mr Juweinat told the court.
Hronopoulos was granted release from custody at Parramatta Bail Court on January 26, which heard the incident happened in a “melee-affray-type situation” after the accused’s girlfriend was refused entry to a nightclub.
The matter is due to return to court in April for a hearing date to be set.
A former St Augustine’s College rower, Hronopoulos remains on bail to live at his northern beaches home.