KPMG associate director Daniel Dunkley found not guilty of headbutting builder

Daniel Dunkley, an associate director of professional services firm KPMG, has been found not guilty of assault after he was accused of headbutting a Sydney builder renovating his property.

Daniel Dunkley arrives at the Downing Centre District Court on Friday. Picture: Nikki Short / NCA NewsWire

An associate director of professional services firm KPMG ­accused of headbutting his builder has been found not guilty of ­ assault, after finding the witnesses in the prosecution’s case to be “unreliable”.

Daniel Dunkley appeared ­before Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney on Friday, more than a year after it was alleged he concussed and hospitalised the man outside an inner-east property. Mr Dunkley has always maintained his innocence.

The complainant, Alexander Houlton, was contracted by Mr Dunkley to manage the renovations of his three-storey property, bought for $2.3m in 2019.

Mr Dunkley was accused of headbutting Mr Houlton after a dispute at the construction site, forcing the back of his head to hit a glass window.

Magistrate Robert Williams said on Friday that it was clear there was an “issue” with the building contract between the pair and that it was “difficult to make a finding” beyond reasonable doubt that the headbutting occurred.

“The court has difficulty in ­accepting the version of events of what occurred on that day in relation to the assault, there are issues on credibility and inconsistencies,” Mr Williams said.

A labourer loading a tip truck who gave evidence to the court was found not to have been a ­reliable witness.

KPMG associate director Daniel Dunkley leaves Downing Centre Local Court in 2022. Picture: Liam Mendes

Mr Williams said Mr Dunkley gave “clear and concise evidence” in the lead-up to the on-site meeting in his examination-in-chief, and was “not troubled” in his cross examination.

He did however say Mr Houlton “does have credibility” in relation to the evidence in which was presented to the court, but that on “some occasions” he was unable to answer simple propositions which were put to him and there were some inconsistencies between what was said in his written statement and what was said to police

At the time of his arrest, police applied for an apprehended violence order against Mr Dunkley, which prevented him from ­approaching or contacting Mr Houlton.

Mr Dunkley, whose LinkedIn profile states he has been working at KPMG since May 2020, was at the time of being charged banned from approaching, contacting or visiting any place Mr Houlton lived or worked.

In 2010 it was reported Mr Dunkley was found not guilty of unlawful confinement, assault and committing an act of indecency without consent while he was a senior ranking cadet in the Australian Army. A complainant alleged Mr Dunkley forced his way into her room and pressed her up against a wall and attempted to touch her breast and groin area.

He was acquitted on all counts.