James Dunne accused of attacking man on Vere St, Collingwood
A man was left on an inner-city street with broken bones after allegedly being attacked by a neighbour and his mate. And one of the alleged attackers is responsible for another sickening street assault.
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A man allegedly helped his mate bash a victim leaving him with broken bones on Collingwood street, a court has heard.
James Dunne, who has previously been jailed for setting fire to a woman on the street, fronted Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on Friday, July 3 over the attack.
The court heard the 39-year-old was walking along Vere St in Collingwood about 5.55pm on May 16 with his friend, when his friend’s neighbour began walking behind them.
Dunne’s friend allegedly turned to the neighbour, who he has known for 37 years, and called him a “rat dog”, then told Dunne the man was a “rat dog”.
The neighbour allegedly responded, “You’re a mutt,” before Dunne’s friend began punching him in the face.
Senior Constable Christine Waldron said Dunne joined in the attack, with the two mates allegedly punching the guy in face and torso.
She said the man tried to defend himself, but his blows did not make contact with the two alleged attackers before Dunne’s friend pushed him to the ground.
Both men then allegedly went on to punch and kick him in the face and body for about 10 seconds before Dunne’s friend threatened the man not to tell the police, before they both left.
The court heard the man was taken to hospital suffering a fractured cheek bone, fractured ribs, and bruising and swelling to his face and body.
Senior Constable Waldron said the alleged victim had told police he was scared to leave his home, with both men knowing where he lived.
Police have since taken out an intervention order between the man and the two alleged attackers.
Police told the court Dunne was considered an unacceptable risk of endangering safety and welfare of any person.
The court heard the Preston man had previously been sentenced to five years’ jail in the County Court for intentionally causing serious injury, after he set a woman on the street on fire in 2013.
Dunne’s lawyer emphasised he had not completed the full sentence, having been released early on parole.
She said Dunne, who was addicted to heroin and methamphetamine, had not started the attack.
Dunne’s lawyer pushed for her client, an Indigenous man, to be granted bail with the supervision of the Court Integrated Service Program, saying he had family support, and could spend a significant period in jail waiting for the case to resolve.
She argued the intervention order would limit any future risk for the alleged victim.
Magistrate Stephen Ballek said the incident was a “very nasty assault”.
With Dunne having spent 29 days behind bars, Mr Ballek agreed to bail him, banning him from using drugs and associating with his friend also charged over the attack.
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