Ben Buggy, Bronson Buggy, Callum McClay in court over Danny Hawkins’ stabbing

A new development has come to light in the alleged stabbing of Gympie boxer Danny Hawkins. Read the latest update on the case here.

A fourth man accused of being involved in the wounding of Gympie boxer Danny Hawkins was granted bail on April 1, it was revealed on Wednesday afternoon.

Callum Robert McClay, who was charged with acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm, possessing dangerous drugs and possessing utensils, was granted bail in Gympie Magistrates Court on Friday, April 1.

He was remanded until May 16.

Ben Colin Buggy, 20, and Bronson Israel Buggy, 23, were granted bail on a downgraded charge on Thursday, March 31. They have been committed to the Gympie District Court for sentencing.

The three men fronted Gympie Magistrates Court from the dock for a committal mention on Thursday, March 31. They were supported by roughly a dozen people in the public gallery.

Gympie's Callum McClay is one of five people accused over the alleged stabbing of Gympie boxer Danny Hawkins. Photo: Facebook

The Buggys’ father, Israel Buggy, and Alec Jardine, who was previously the only accused person to be granted bail, did not appear.

Mr Hawkins suffered several stab wounds and other injuries and was flown to hospital in Brisbane after the alleged attack in the front yard of his home in Parsons Rd on September, 2021, in daylight and in front of his family.

Danny Hawkins recovering in hospital from his wounds.

Ben and Bronson Buggy were originally charged with acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm; however, after a debate between the prosecution and the Buggys’ defence lawyer, Michael McMillan, on Thursday, March 31, they had their charges downgraded to grievous bodily harm.

Several new details about the alleged stabbing were revealed throughout the trio’s appearance, including what allegedly triggered the attack.

Police prosecutor Michael Phillips told the court a series of text messages between Israel Buggy and Mr Hawkins was the cause.

“The issue started, essentially, when the defendant Israel Buggy believed that the complainant had mentioned something about (Israel’s) partner being pregnant,” he said.

The moment Gympie boxer Danny Hawkins was allegedly stabbed at his Parsons Rd property was captured in pictures and video tendered to Gympie Magistrates Court.

“There’s been an argument via text message … during those conversations, the complainant has essentially said ‘look, if you want to sort this out that’s fine, we’ll sort it out tomorrow’.”

He alleged Mr Buggy then threatened to kill Mr Hawkins, before he allegedly arrived at Mr Hawkins’ Parsons Rd home with Mr Jardine, Mr McClay and his two sons, where the alleged ambush took place.

Sgt Phillips revealed further allegations about the attack, including claims Israel Buggy had concealed a knife in his shorts.

Mr McMillan told the court on behalf of Ben and Bronson Buggy, that his clients wanted to enter a guilty plea in relation to the grievous bodily harm charges.

Bronson Buggy (left) and Ben Buggy (right) were released on bail on March 31, 2022, much to the joy of their family and friends in the public gallery.

A bail application followed, which resulted in the two Buggy brothers being released, much to the joy of their supporters.

Ecstatic family and friends hugged and cried outside the courtroom at the news, and waited outside the Gympie watch house for more than two hours for the two men.

The court heard they had spent six months and 10 days in pre-sentence custody, but upon their release would be living with their grandparents in Deepwater, Bundaberg.

Originally published as Ben Buggy, Bronson Buggy, Callum McClay in court over Danny Hawkins’ stabbing