Robert Huntley accused of stabbing man at Destino Wine Bar in Sanctuary Cove
An insurance guru accused of stabbing a man in the back at a swanky Gold Coast wine bar allegedly did so after a confrontation over comments made to his wife.
Police & Courts
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An insurance industry guru allegedly stabbed a man in the back in a swanky Sanctuary Cove wine bar after being enraged by a comment made about his wife.
Everest Risk Group Director Robert Huntley appeared in Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday – his 56th birthday – charged with one count each of wounding and grievous bodily harm over the incident.
The court was told Mr Huntley had taken a knife from his opulent five-bedroom, five-bathroom Sanctuary Cove home and gone to the Destino Wine Bar at about 4.45pm on Wednesday. He allegedly did so after his wife returned to the $5 million property upset by comments that had allegedly been made towards her.
“Untoward comments were made towards his wife that day. She has returned home and communicated that to him,” defence counsel Josh Tiffin, of Jacobson Mahony Lawyers, told the court.
“He then goes to Sanctuary Cove and has confronted people he understood made comments to his wife.
“He goes to the restaurant and there’s a confrontation.”
It is alleged that a 54-year-old man was stabbed in the back by Mr Huntley at the wine bar.
A 60-year-old man also sustained a laceration, while a 58-year-old man was allegedly assaulted.
The court was told at least one of the men had intervened to assist as the altercation unfolded.
The court also heard that Mr Huntley had decamped the scene after the alleged attack and was “seriously intoxicated” when approached by police a short time later.
Mr Tiffin said the “isolated” incident was “completely out of character” for Mr Huntley, who had no previous convictions.
Prosecutor Jacinta Raven submitted that what was alleged was “very serious offending”.
“He attended the wine bar premises with intent to cause harm,” Ms Raven told the court.
“He has brought the knife from home and confronted the complainants.
“It was lucky he didn’t cause more damage.”
Ms Raven submitted that if Mr Huntley were to be granted bail, the Sanctuary Cove resident be barred from the whole of Hope Island.
“I do have concerns with him having access to Hope Island at all,” Ms Raven said.
“My concern would be if released to Hope Island there would be multiple opportunities for the defendant to come into contact with complainants.
“The two areas (Sanctuary Cove and Hope Island) are very intertwined.”
Magistrate Pamela Dowse said what was alleged constituted a “targeted” attack in a public place, which if true would be “outrageous behaviour” and “stupidity in the extreme”.
She granted Mr Huntley bail on condition that he obtain an appointment with a GP for a mental health plan, does not consume alcohol, does not go within 500 metres of the main shopping and restaurant area at Sanctuary Cove, does not contact or go within 500 metres of three complainants, and reside at his Sanctuary Cove home.
His case was adjourned to return to court on October 24.
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