Cardell Jones charged with grievous bodily harm after alleged assault in Surfers Paradise

A man accused of kicking his alleged victim in the face after a split-second encounter walking through a crowded Surfers Paradise at New Year’s has been schooled in court. Read why

A man accused of breaking a man’s jaw in a brazen Surfers Paradise attack after being bumped into has been schooled by a magistrate who told him: “Big deal, this is life”.

Cardell Jones appeared in Southport Magistrates Court on Monday, facing one charge of grievous bodily harm. He has not entered a plea to the charge.

CCTV footage played to the court during his bail application showed the 19-year-old and his alleged victim – who were not known to each other at the time – each making their way through throngs of partygoers on Orchid Ave on January 1.

Cardell Jones has been charged with grievous bodily harm after allegedly breaking another man's jaw in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Facebook/Cardell Jones

It is alleged the pair bumped into each other, with Mr Jones kicking the other man, breaking his jaw.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Jim Pedlow opposed the bail application, citing the “strong case” against Mr Jones and “unacceptable” risk of reoffending.

Defence lawyer Sunil Dutt, of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service, said Mr Jones endured a difficult upbringing but had started a successful career in banking after completing his schooling.

Mr Dutt said his client was seeking treatment for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Magistrate Dzenita Balic granted bail, saying Mr Jones was likely to face a jail sentence for the alleged “gratuitous” violence, though it was uncertain whether he would serve actual time behind bars.

“He didn’t like that the guy bumped into him – big deal, this is life,” Ms Balic said.

The Greenbank man must not contact the alleged victim or return to the Gold Coast – unless attending court – as conditions of his release. His case was adjourned to February 1.