Edward James Watson on trial at Hervey Bay District Court
A man who allegedly struck another man with a wooden stick during a barney at a boat ramp will fight the charges in court.
Police & Courts
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A man who allegedly whacked another man in the leg with a stick after a disagreement over their dogs has denied the charges.
Edward James Watson pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm while armed with an offensive instrument, while also pleading guilty to one count of wilful damage.
Crown prosecutor Aden Tranent detailed the alleged events to the jury and Judge Ian Dearden at the start of the trial, saying a disagreement between the two men began on Burrum Heads beach.
On December 20, 2023, the alleged victim, Daniel Edward Barnes, was walking his two dogs on the beach with a walking stick when “about six” off-leash dogs ran towards him and his pets.
Mr Barnes claims one of the unleashed dogs bit his border collie on the backside, leading him to try and beat the dogs off with his walking stick.
Mr Watson, who was allegedly standing some distance away, began shouting at Mr Barnes, with the latter also yelling at him.
Mr Barnes began to retreat back to his car and drove to the Lion Park boat ramp to help an elderly lady who picks up rubbish and cans.
He parked his car to speak to the lady when a blue four-wheel-drive operated by Mr Watson pulled in.
Mr Watson jumped out of his car, allegedly saying to Mr Barnes “do you want to be a f****n’ hero?”.
The prosecution alleged Mr Watson then pulled out a large wooden stick from his car and used it to strike Mr Barnes in the leg, causing a laceration to his skin.
Mr Barnes used his walking stick to “fend off” any more attacks.
Photos tendered to the court showed Mr Barnes’ bloody leg, as well as injuries on his left arm and hand from the next stick strike.
Mr Watson also struck Mr Barnes’ mobile phone that recorded a portion of the altercation, but pleaded guilty to that charge.
Mr Watson can be seen in the video, that was tendered as evidence, stabbing the phone with the stick.
Another point of contact between the pair happened when Mr Watson wrapped his arms and legs around the victim, before Mr Barnes dropped his weight to the ground as a way to get him off.
Defence barrister Jack Kennedy later called this movement a “body slam”.
The trial continues as two eyewitnesses will give their evidence to the jury on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday.
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Originally published as Edward James Watson on trial at Hervey Bay District Court
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