Pokie Winner Bashed, Cash Stolen: Court
Illawarra Mercury
Tuesday August 5, 2008
A DAPTO man accused of bashing another man and robbing him of $3000 was refused bail in Wollongong Local Court yesterday.
Mark Christopher Dutton, 18, handed himself into police at 3.20am on Sunday for outstanding warrant matters.The court heard yesterday he did not realise police wanted to speak to him about an alleged assault at Oak Flats on July 29.Dutton was charged with robbery in company causing grievous bodily harm.Police documents tendered to the court said Dutton, Adam Parsons and a third man went to the Lakeview Hotel on the afternoon of July 29.They met a man there who had won more than $3000 on the poker machines and who bought them drinks.The man left the hotel about 9pm and walked towards the Shell service station on New Lake Entrance Rd but his taxi failed to arrive.He allegedly noticed Dutton, Parsons and the third man following him so he telephoned his partner for safety. But while he was making the call the trio allegedly began bashing him, punching and kicking him until he fell to the ground.While he was down, one of the three men allegedly stomped on his face.The accused men stole his wallet containing $1900 in cash and a bank cheque for $1230. The man struggled to his nearby home before he was taken to Shellharbour Hospital suffering multiple facial fractures and a broken nose.The three accused were seen later that night on CCTV footage at Wests Illawarra at Unanderra, spending money on gaming machines and alcohol before leaving in a taxi at 6am.Dutton's lawyer Cathy Doosey said her client denied the allegations and had wanted to resolve the outstanding warrant matters with police.Magistrate Paul Johnson said handing himself in worked in Dutton's favour, but he also had a record of failing to appear at court."This offence carries 25 years in jail (if he is convicted)," he said.Mr Johnson said Dutton faced other matters, including one where Dutton allegedly threatened an off-duty police officer at Wollongong Railway Station."The court has significant concerns about the protection of the community," Mr Johnson said.Bail was refused and Dutton, of Osborne St, is due to appear in court again on September 10.
© 2008 Illawarra Mercury
