Gerald Whitton: Waterloo man charged with stabbing brother-in-law in the neck
A man accused of slashing his brother-in-law in the neck with a broken bottle told police officers he attacked before “he hit me”, a court has heard.
Wentworth Courier
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A man who allegedly stabbed his brother-in-law in the neck with a broken bottle has been granted bail with a court hearing he acted in “self-defence”.
Gerald Charles Whitton, 38, appeared via video link at Downing Centre Local Court from Surry Hills police station on Tuesday after he was arrested and originally charged with reckless wounding.
A further charge of wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm was later laid.
It comes after a police investigation was launched after reports a man had been stabbed on Raglan St, Waterloo, about 9.30pm on Monday.
Emergency services, including NSW Ambulance paramedics, were called to the scene where they found a man with a laceration to his neck.
The man was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a stable condition.
Whitton was arrested and taken to Mascot Police station where he was charged and refused bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court today.
In court, Whitton’s lawyer Ben Goodhew submitted a release application and told the court the alleged offence was serious and conceded his client had “some serious” matters on his record.
He asked Magistrate Michael Barko to recognise Whitton’s background, including being on the NDIS program where he suffers from physical impairments.
Due to the nature of the alleged offence, Mr Goodhew said “it may take some time to go through the court process” and his client would be willing to report to police regularly.
In reply, the police prosecutor said there was an unacceptable risk to the community if Whitton was to be granted bail.
The court heard the alleged offence was committed in a public place at Waterloo Green and it was “almost inevitable” Whitton would receive a custodial sentence if found guilty.
The prosecutor said the 38-year-old has a history of serious violent offending and had previously served time in jail for robbery.
He told the court the man sustained a 10cm laceration to his neck.
In assessing the application, Magistrate Barko said “this is not a 17 or 18 year old’s first time in custody … he knows the ropes”.
“The reason why I am going to grant the defendant bail today … the issue which has been raised at the outset of self defence,” he said.
When reading out the facts, Magistrate Barko said the incident followed an argument where Whitton is alleged to have used a “broken bottle to slash the neck” of his brother-in-law.
The court heard when the man was being taken away, he said “tell Gerald (Whitton) I am going to f**king kill him”.
Magistrate Barko referenced a conversation between Whitton and police where the 38-year-old is alleged to have said he attacked the man “before he hit me”.
As part of Whitton’s bail, he must report daily to Redfern police station and must abstain from drugs and alcohol.
The matter will return to court on June 17.
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