Man accused over knife attack at Revolver may argue he acted in self-defence

A man charged over a frenzied knife attack at a popular Chapel St nightclub may claim he acted in self-defence, a court has heard.

A man accused over a frenzied knife attack at a popular Melbourne nightclub may argue he acted in self-defence, a court has heard.

Marc Bounassif, 19, from Craigieburn, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday where his lawyer asked for permission to question the 31-year-old reveller who nearly died as a result of the Revolver nightclub attack last September.

The man, from Endeavour Hills, suffered life threatening injuries after he was allegedly stabbed 13 times by Mr Bounassif and slashed with a machete by co-accused Brandon Tsatsis.

Defence lawyer Lucy Massouras told the court she wanted to question the man about interactions he had with Mr Bounassif inside the club prior to the near-fatal stabbing.

Mr Bounassif may argue he acted in self-defence. Picture: Facebook

“The issue is self-defence. I’ve seen the CCTV footage myself and there are questions in relation to the interactions that my client had with two civilian witnesses – the complainant and the female who gets in between the two immediately prior to the incident,” Ms Massouras said.

Both the man and female companion will give evidence from remote witness facilities.

Mr Bounassif is on remand at Port Phillip Prison.

The man told police the nightclub confrontation began after Mr Bounassif and another man smirked as they walked past him.

The victim, from Endeavour Hills, suffered life threatening injuries during the alleged attack. Picture: David Crosling

CCTV captured the trio arguing before falling down a flight of stairs.

Mr Bounassif then allegedly stabbed the man multiple times with a small knife while Mr Tsatsis allegedly stabbed him about three times in the side with a machete.

The pair allegedly fled the scene in an Uber booked under a false name.

The man was rushed to hospital where he remained in an induced coma for close to a week.

He suffered a punctured lung, severed tendon and broken hand.

Mr Bounassif was arrested several days later allegedly in possession of MDMA and cannabis.

Charge sheets reveal he is accused of another CBD knife attack.

He is facing a charge of unlawful assault with a knife and behaving in a riotous manner on Elizabeth St on November 16, 2023.

Both men will return to court on March 4.