Police file extra charges on trio accused of footy finals bashing as they attend court for first hearing
Extra charges have been filed against a trio, including the sons of a prominent barrister, accused of a brutal assault outside the MCG during footy finals as they faced court for the first time.
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The sons of a prominent barrister, who are accused of a brutal assault outside the MCG during footy finals, have been charged with more serious offences as they faced court for the first time.
Dressed in suits, Dominic Walker, 27, and his brother Sam, 24, sat quietly in the front row at the Melbourne Magistrates Court for a brief administrative hearing, where no details of the alleged September 7 attack were aired.
Their father Tim Walker, QC, did not appear at court with them.
Police charged the North Fitzroy brothers, along with their friend, Benjamin Fitt, with intentionally and recklessly causing injury over the alleged attack on two men, aged 61 and 45, which happened in the hours after the Richmond-Hawthorn qualifying final.
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Mr Fitt, 27, from East Melbourne, also appeared in court minutes later, all three having their matters adjourned for committal mention in February.
But police filed extra charges on the trio today including recklessly cause serious injury, conduct endangering life, conduct endangering serious injury and cause serious injury in circumstances of gross violence.
The maximum penalty they are facing is up to 15 years in jail.
CCTV capturing the alleged assault, including showing one man being repeatedly punched and having his head stomped on, will be key prosecution evidence, the court heard.
Ushered outside court by top barristers Dermot Dann, QC, and Paul Galbally, the Walker brothers made no comment about their alleged actions or whether they planned to fight the charges.
Their appearance came after farcical scenes at court which saw their cases moved from courtroom to courtroom, meaning some media outlets missed their short hearing.
All three were listed in separate courtrooms, but later the brothers had their cases joined to be heard in another courtroom.
As reporters waited for their case to be called, the three cases were transferred to the filing hearing courtroom on a lower level.
At the time his sons were charged, Tim Walker released a statement asking the media to respect his family’s right to privacy.
“This matter is still under police investigation. We are not able to comment at this stage,” he said.
“We have every confidence Victoria Police will obtain all relevant evidence, including all available CCTV footage.”