Ricky Lefoe: Alleged food fight attacker bail after Surfers Paradise fight
A Gold Coast man may never wake up after allegedly being punched by a tourist on the Glitter Strip, a court has heard as his alleged attacker was granted bail.
Crime and Court
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A SYDNEY construction worker who police alleged attacked a Tugun man during a fight over food at Surfers Paradise — leaving him in a coma with severe swelling on the brain — has been released on bail.
Ricky Lefoe, 27, was charged with grievous bodily harm over the incident early on Tuesday morning, while he was staying at Surfers Paradise.
It’s alleged Lefoe punched the 29-year-old, causing him to fall and strike his head on the ground.
Gold Coast police allege Lefoe then fled the scene.
Lefoe applied to be released on bail in Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
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Footage of the alleged attack was played for Magistrate Leanne Scoines, showing a frantic scuffle among a number of persons in which multiple punches were thrown.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Nick Wang told the court the victim was still in hospital with “severe swelling on the brain” and “may never regain consciousness”.
He said one of Lefoe’s friend has now been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm.
Defence barrister Martin Longhurst said “I had to do a double take when I saw the footage”.
He said a statement by a senior police officer was “calculated to ensure my client remains in custody”.
Mr Longhurst emphasised Lefoe had “the presumption of innocence”.
He told the court the injured man was responsible for the “biggest helicopter punch shown in the footage”.
Mr Longhurst said a friend of Lefoe involved in the fight “carried on like an idiot” and Lefoe intervened.
He said the discrepancies betweeen the police affidavit and what was shown in footage was “scandalous” and he accused officers of “misrepresenting” the situation.
Mr Longhurst told the court “there was a person throwing wild haymakers towards my client’s face”.
“The strength of the case is not an overwhelming one,” he said.
Mr Wang said footage was aired in court to allow the magistrate to form her “own view of the strength of the case”.
Lefoe’s criminal history was “poor”, Mr Longhurst conceded.
He made reference to “traumatic events” and said Lefoe had watched his brother get shot and run over.
Ultimately, Ms Scoines released Lefoe on conditional bail, including travel restrictions.
Lefoe was bailed on $50,000 surety and he cannot enter any safe night precinct in Queensland.
The case was adjourned to October 16.
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