Shaun Craig Weldon acquitted of GBH charge from Anzac Day pub brawl

A two-day trial has resulted in a not guilty verdict in what the jury found was a case of mistaken identity following a one-punch assault in an Anzac Day bowls club brawl.

Shaun Craig Weldon (top) was acquitted of a charge of grievous bodily harm related to an ANZAC Day brawl at Moore Park Bowls Club.

The colour of a T-shirt and bad lighting were key reasons a Bundaberg man on trial for a one-punch assault in an Anzac Day pub brawl walked free from court.

Shaun Craig Weldon was found not guilty of a charge of grievous bodily harm on Tuesday, July 18 following a two-day trial in Bundaberg District Court.

The court was told complainant David Cini suffered a fractured eye socket following the brawl at Moore Park Bowls Club on Anzac Day in 2019.

Mr Weldon pleaded not guilty with defence barrister David Jones arguing there were “weaknesses” in the case that should cause the jury to doubt that it was Mr Weldon who threw the punch.

In her opening statement on Monday, Crown prosecutor Jodie Crane told the court a group of friends and loose acquaintances had been drinking in Bargara following the dawn service, arriving at the Bowls Club about 6pm.

The court heard an argument developed between two members of the group, who began fighting in the car park outside the club’s smoking area.

Mr Cini, who was a witness for the prosecution, said he went outside to where the two men were fighting.

David Cini suffered a fractured eye socket after a brawl at the Moore Park Bowls Club on Anzac Day.

He said while he was watching the fight another member of the group punched him in the mouth.

Mr Cini said the next thing he remembered was getting punched in the eye with a forceful blow that knocked him unconscious.

After being helped by bowls club staff members he was taken in an ambulance to Bundaberg Hospital where he underwent laser surgery for an orbital floor fracture to his right eye.

Mr Cini told the court that prior to getting punched he saw Mr Weldon “in a rage,” and overheard him shout to another member of the group, Lachlan Condon, “I’m going to kill you”.

Several witnesses said they saw a man of similar height to Shaun Weldon chasing a friend of David Cini through the car park of the Moore Park Beach Bowls Club.

Mr Condon told the court Mr Weldon chased him through the car park, and after failing to catch him Mr Weldon ran back to the main group and punched someone in the head, who fell to the ground.

While under cross-examination from Mr Jones, Mr Condon said he did not know Mr Weldon well and had only met him once previously.

Several witnesses said they saw a man of a similar height to Mr Weldon wearing a black T-shirt chase Mr Condon through the car park.

Mr Cini initially said Mr Weldon wore a black T-shirt but later told the court he was mistaken when Mr Jones showed him a photograph of the group taken that same day with Mr Weldon wearing a grey shirt.

Mr Jones told the court it was “an extremely dynamic situation” involving men of similar appearance fighting in a poorly lit car park.

Judge Brad Farr SC told the jury its task was to decide if the evidence showed beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Weldon was the man who threw the punch.

The jury returned its verdict of not guilty after a short deliberation of one hour.

No charges in relation to the incident were laid against Mr Cini or Mr Condon.

Originally published as Shaun Craig Weldon acquitted of GBH charge from Anzac Day pub brawl