Matthew Rutherford charged with reckless grievous bodily harm
A Royal Australian Navy member facing a serious charge over an alleged violent incident in Sydney has sought leave to deploy to a different ship interstate while he waits to defend the allegation.
Southern Courier
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A Sydney-based Navy member facing a serious allegation of violence will be allowed to deploy to a different ship in Western Australia while he waits to defend the charge.
Matthew Rutherford, 23, was charged with reckless grievous bodily harm in respect of an alleged incident in Sydney’s inner city around 10.45pm on April 14 this year.
Documents tendered to Downing Centre Local Court indicate police will allege Rutherford caused grievous bodily harm to another man and was reckless as to that possibility in an incident at the corner of King St and Lime St in Barangaroo.
The documents do not provide any details of the injuries suffered by the man in the alleged incident.
Rutherford, who hails from Townsville, appeared before Magistrate Susan Horan at Downing Centre Local Court on November 22 where his solicitor sought to vary his bail.
The court heard he wished to vary his residence condition from a Botany address or HMAS Canberra at the Royal Australian Navy’s Garden Island base to HMAS Stirling, which is currently docked in Rockingham, Western Australia.
“There is evidence to show he is being posted there,” Ms Horan said.
“I’ve had an opportunity to read the fact sheet and while it is concerning in terms of being a matter of violence, he is otherwise an upstanding member of the community.”
Ms Horan granted the variation to permit Rutherford’s posting to HMAS Stirling on a condition he agree to forfeit $1000 of his own money if he fails to appear at court as required.
His girlfriend of one year Ciara Murphy had previously offered to provide that surety on Rutherford’s behalf.
As part of his bail, Rutherford is also not to enter the Sydney CBD defined as the 2km radius from Town Hall except to work and attend court or legal appointments.
The matter will next be mentioned on July 8 next year before Rutherford defends the charge at hearing on September 2 and 3.
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