Steven John Johnson appeared upset in Tamworth Local Court yesterday as he was led into the dock in a blue forensic services suit after his clothing was seized by detectives investigating the brutal and bloody death of Kenny Matthews.

The 52-year-old man who hails from Werris Creek died suddenly in Tamworth hospital on Saturday night just hours after presenting to the emergency department in severe pain with internal injuries.

Detectives from Strike Force Leasingham, set up in the wake of the death, will allege Johnson attacked Mr Matthews with his bare hands on Goonoo Goonoo Rd near Bilkurra St about 7.30pm on Friday, 

Acting Detective Inspector Jason Darcy said yesterday, a man and a woman tried to break up the [alleged] assault, but Mr Matthews sustained a serious head injury.

“Alcohol was involved in the matter,” he said.

“The man arrested was the main person involved in the [alleged] assault and the other people were basically trying to separate or break it up.

“There is no reason for community concern, it wasn’t a random attack, they’ve known each other for a long period of time and unfortunately it was a dispute that basically ended up resulting in this man’s death.”

The 38-year-old woman declined to be interviewed by police, however a man did assist officers and both were released without charge.

During yesterday’s brief court appearance, Johnson’s solicitor Sarah Wilkin made no application for bail and asked for the case to be adjourned to next month.

Magistrate Michael Holmes said the serious nature of the charges meant the matter would be referred to the DPP and a brief ordered.

“Mr Johnson you are charged with murder and assault causing death of a person over 18 years whilst intoxicated,” he said.

“I’m not seeking a plea today, bail is not applied for and refused.”

If convicted of murder, Johnson faces up to life in prison, and if found guilty on the one punch charge, he must serve a minimum of eight years behind bars without parole under new laws introduced by the NSW government to combat alcohol-related violence.

Johnson did not look around the court and had his head bowed for much of the appearance, including when a bystander shouted “he shouldn’t have done it Bruz”.

Strike Force Leasingham detectives continued canvassing the area yesterday as forensic investigators from as far away as Lismore combed the Bilkurra St unit crime scene for clues.

“Detectives have been canvassing all day [Sunday] and they continue to canvass [yesterday] morning and that’s been fruitful. Where we have identified further persons who have come forward and given statements,” Acting Detective Inspector Darcy said.

“Goonoo Goonoo Rd is also the New England Highway and 7.30 on a Friday night, there was a lot of travellers, this incident tumbled onto the road, or onto the highway causing a lot of cars and traffic to stop and apparently went on for a bit of time so there are people out there who may be able to assist us further and we make an appeal to them.

“A lot of people have come forward and we really appreciate that because their assistance has resulted in a swift action by police to get this man charged and before the courts.”