Charlie John Coveney, accused of assaulting Gatton man Matthew Hawkins, back in Toowoomba court

A 26-year-old accused of fracturing another man’s skull during an alleged fight outside a Gatton hotel has had his charges mentioned in court.

Charlie John Coveney (main image) has faced court accused of seriously assaulting Matthew Hawkins outside a Gatton pub on December 3, 2022.

An outstanding DNA report is holding up the progress of the case against a former boxer accused of assaulting another man outside a Gatton pub.

Charlie John Coveney was not required for the brief mention of the matter but was represented by Joe McConnell who told the court a DNA certificate and statement from the arresting officer were outstanding from the brief of evidence.

When asked by magistrate Louise Shephard why the arresting officer had not provided a statement, police prosecutor Anita Page told the court the officer was waiting for the medical evidence to be completed before providing the statement.

The court was also told the state government’s DNA lab had delays processing evidence as long as 12 weeks.

Ms Shephard adjourned the matter to May 12 to allow the arresting officer time to complete the necessary statement, and remanded Mr Coveney in custody to that date.

The 26-year-old is accused of fracturing Mathew Hawkins’ skull in a fight outside Gatton’s Commercial Hotel on December 3, 2022.

Mr Coveney has not yet been required to enter pleas to his charges of grievous bodily harm, authority required to possess explosives and two counts of unlawfully possessing a weapon.