Alex Rasic in court over the alleged ‘one-punch’ killing of Michael Hayes

A 24-year-old Hope Island man charged over an alleged ‘one-punch’ killing of a Sanctuary Cove dad has been granted bail under a number of strict conditions.

Michael Hayes, 39, died last week.

A 24-year-old Hope Island man charged over an alleged “one-punch” killing has been granted bail under a number of strict conditions, including that he must wear an ankle monitor.

Alex Rasic was arrested in Maroochydore last week over the death of Gold Coast man Michael Hayes, 39, at Sanctuary Cove.

Rasic, who was charged with unlawful strike causing death, was granted bail in the Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday under a number of conditions.

These included that he pay a surety of up to $100,000, wear an ankle monitor, does not contact witnesses, does not leave Queensland and reports to police daily.

The matter was adjourned to July 4.

Sanctuary Cove dad Michael Hayes.

Police prosecutors objected to Rasic being granted bail over concerns he was a flight risk, could interfere with witnesses and could endanger the safety and welfare of people.

“Reliance is placed in the objection to bail that he is an associate of members of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle club,” Magistrate Sarah Thompson said.

“There was no suggestion in the objection that the alleged offence had anything to do with that club.

“The primary risk, in my view, is that the defendant would fail to appear.

“In balancing all of the features, these concerns can be met with stringent conditions and the risk is reduced to an acceptable level.”

Police alleged Mr Hayes was with friends at Sanctuary Cove bar Destinos on the night of May 27 when he walked outside and got into an argument with Rasic.

“During this argument he was struck by a punch, causing him to fall and hit his head,” Magistrate Thompson said.

“It is not alleged by police that this was a coward’s punch.

“It is clear from the extracts of the witness statements in the objection to bail that the victim was struck from the front.”

Mr Hayes died four days later in hospital after suffering a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.

The court was told there was no CCTV of the incident itself, but a primary witness account had described the assault as being a “wind-up” punch.

Police alleged Rasic had fled to the Sunshine Coast after the assault to avoid arrest and he was found at an address with a ‘go bag’ containing clothing, a passport and cash.

The court was told Rasic messaged his own partner asking “is the dumb dog dead yet?” after Mr Hayes was assaulted.

‘Is the dumb dog dead yet?’ Court hears fatal punch accused’s message to partner

A 24-year-old man charged over a “one-punch” killing of a Gold Coast man messaged his own partner asking “is the dumb dog dead yet”, a court has been told.

The content of the message was revealed during Alex Rasic’s bail application heard in the Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

He was arrested in Maroochydore last week over the death of Gold Coast man Michael Hayes, 39, at Sanctuary Cove.

Mr Hayes died in the Gold Coast University Hospital last Thursday, four days after he was assaulted outside the Destino Wine and Cocktail Bar at Sanctuary Cove.

Rasic, who was charged with unlawful strike causing death, appeared via videolink in court to apply for bail while wearing a black Nike brand singlet with his arms folded.

Sanctuary Cove dad Michael Hayes.

The father-of-two remained behind bars after Magistrate Sarah Thompson adjourned her decision on the bail application to 9am Thursday.

Police prosecutor Sammi Dutschke told the court police had obtained a message Rasic sent to his partner after Mr Hayes was assaulted.

“There are messages from the defendant to his partner which indicate, I quote, ‘is the dumb dog dead yet’” she said.

Police opposed Rasic’s bail application over concerns he was a flight risk and would interfere with witnesses due to his links with an outlaw motorcycle gang.

Ms Dutschke said there was no CCTV of the incident itself, but a primary witness account had described the assault as being a “wind-up” punch.

The court was told Mr Hayes fell backwards and struck his head after being punched outside the Sanctuary Cove bar.

He suffered a fracture to the back of his skull and bleeding on the brain as a result.

Michael Hayes suffered a fracture to the back of his skull and bleeding on the brain.

Ms Dutschke said police alleged Rasic had fled to the Sunshine Coast after the assault to avoid arrest.

She told the court the 24-year-old had attempted to destroy his mobile phone by using water and trying to snap it when police found him at a Maroochydore address.

“During a search of that address, the police did locate a ‘go bag’ which contained (Rasic’s) clothing, passport and cash,” Ms Dutschke said.

Rasic’s defence barrister, Bernard Riley, said his client had lived on the Gold Coast with his partner and children for several years and had business ties to the area.

The 24-year-old’s partner remained supportive and was present in court for the bail application, Mr Riley said.

He noted Rasic’s family friend was willing to provide a surety of up to $100,000 and that the 24-year-old would comply with a number of bail conditions.

“This is all within the context of a young man who doesn’t have any serious criminal history and no history of failing to appear,” Mr Riley said.