Former Barron River MP Michael John Trout given bail in face of assault, stalking charges
A former Far North MP has faced court on assault and stalking charges after police allege he was involved in a brawl that left a 32-year-old man in hospital.
Cairns
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A former Far North MP has faced court on assault and stalking charges after police allege he was involved in a brawl earlier this year that left a 32-year-old man in hospital.
Michael John Trout has previously served as the MP for Barron River and last month stepped down from his role as the LNP’s regional chair.
Mr Trout has been charged with one count of assault occasioning bodily harm, another count of assault occasioning bodily harm while armed in company and one count of unlawful stalking, intimidation, harassment, or abuse.
The charges relate to an incident in Holloways Beach on May 17.
Following heightened tensions in the community stemming from a claimed surge in youth criminal activity, it’s alleged Mr Trout arrived at a Holloways Beach property soon after another car pulled into the driveway.
Mr Trout confronted the three people in the car before allegedly assaulting Leah Kawane, 23.
When her partner 32-year-old Jessie Howie, the son of LNP vice chair for Barron River Darren Howie, retaliated, police allege he was also assaulted by Mr Trout.
The 32-year-old was taken to Cairns Hospital for treatment.
There is no suggestion the father-son relationship had any bearing on the alleged incident between Mr Trout and Jessie Howie.
Mr Trout’s defence counsel Bebe Mellick indicated to the court Mr Trout would be pleading not guilty to the charges when the matter was mentioned in Cairns Magistrates Court on Monday.
A brief of evidence was ordered to be provided by October 28 and a committal hearing to move the matter to District Court was set for November 8.
Mr Trout was granted bail on his own undertaking.
Mr Mellick will also represent Eric Frederick Forster who is also alleged to have been involved in the brawl.
Mr Forster is facing three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm while armed in company.
He will also have his committal hearing on November 8.
LNP leader David Crisafulli on Monday declined to comment.
“It’s a legal matter, let that take its course and he has stepped aside from his party duties,” he said.
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Originally published as Former Barron River MP Michael John Trout given bail in face of assault, stalking charges
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