Questions raised over accused Hobart man after alleged serious Salamanca assault

A young Hobart man could be found unfit to stand trial after an alleged serious Salamanca assault, which left an international student in a medically-induced coma. What a court has heard >

Salamanca Place in Hobart. Picture: Sam Rosewarne

A young Lenah Valley man could be found unfit to stand trial after an alleged serious Salamanca Place assault, with an international student placed in a medically-induced coma.

About 4.20am on November 5 last year, a University of Tasmania student of Indian origin was taken to Royal Hobart Hospital with serious injuries.

The alleged assault against the young man in his 20s led to an outpouring of emotion on social media and widespread – including international – media coverage.

Benjamin Dodd Collings, 24, was taken into custody at the time and was granted bail a few days later.

Tasmania Police told media at the time there was no evidence the alleged assault was racially motivated.

On Wednesday, Mr Collings – who is now in custody – appeared in the Supreme Court of Tasmania via video link.

Justice Helen Wood heard Mr Collings’ defence team had sought a report “in respect to fitness”, with lawyer Fabiano Cangelosi explaining that was underway.

He said a further four weeks was required to complete the report.

In Tasmania, an accused person can be deemed unfit to stand trial if they are unable to understand or plead to a charge, exercise the right of challenge, understand or follow proceedings, make a defence or answer the charge.

Mr Collings has not yet entered a plea to assault, stating a false name and address, resisting a police officer and unrelated driving offences.

He will return to court in June.

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