Levi Connor in Wonthaggi court over alleged stabbing outside North Pier Hotel

A carpenter allegedly stabbed a man eight times, leaving him with life-threatening injuries, after the pair got into a brawl near a pub in Cowes.

Carpenter Levi Connor has faced the Wonthaggi Magistrates’ Court over an alleged stabbing at Cowes in April.

A carpenter who allegedly stabbed a man eight times in an act of self-defence near a Phillip Island pub has been released on bail.

Levi Connor, 31 of Wimbledon Heights, appeared online at the Wonthaggi Magistrates’ Court on Friday charged with recklessly causing serious injury, making threats to kill and possessing a controlled weapon without lawful excuse.

Giving evidence in court, Detective Senior Constable Rhys Matthews said the complainant approached Mr Connor after leaving the North Pier Hotel in Cowes on April 18.

The pair knew each other, the court was told, and phone records revealed they had been “coaxing” each other into a physical altercation.

Mr Connor tried to ignore the complainant and walked away but he was allegedly pushed to the ground and punched.

Trying to defend himself, Constable Matthews said, Mr Connor allegedly pulled a knife and stabbed the complainant eight times.

It’s alleged after the fight, a witness saw Mr Connor covered in blood with the knife in his hand.

Evidence read out in court revealed Mr Connor allegedly stabbed a man eight times after the pair got into a fight on The Esplanade at Cowes in April. Picture: Olena Sakhatska/iStock

Constable Matthews said when police arrived, Mr Connor allegedly threw the weapon across the road and was arrested.

The court heard the complainant was flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with life-threatening injuries that required surgery, while Mr Connor was taken to the Wonthaggi Hospital with a cut on his arm and injuries to his head.

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Constable Matthews said instead of contacting police when the complainant approached him, Mr Connor allegedly took matters into his own hands, and fought back.

He added bail should be denied due to a risk to the community, and alleged Mr Connor had the knife on him a week before the stabbing.

The court heard Mr Connor was cooperative with police.

Magistrate Tim Walsh said he was concerned by the evidence he had heard, but the victim was not “entirely blameless”, as Mr Connor tried to walk away before the fight broke out.

Mr Walsh said he “agonised” over the application, but granted Mr Connor’s bail, with strict conditions.

The matters were adjourned to June for a mention.