A 17-year-old will stay behind bars charged with bashing a bakery worker who was put in an induced coma as police seek medical evidence to determine if the charges will be upgraded.
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There are unconfirmed reports the 49-year-old man, who works at the Crust and Cream Bakery in the Robert St Shopping Village, has awoken from a coma in John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.
The man suffered serious head injuries and was airlifted to Newcastle on Saturday morning after he was allegedly punched and kicked by the 17-year-old just before 5am.
The youth, who cannot be identified because of his age, is being held in custody at the Orana Juvenile Correctional Centre in Dubbo following his arrest by Tamworth police hours after the alleged assault.
He appeared via video link in Tamworth Children’s Court on Monday afternoon but his Aboriginal Legal Service solicitor Jonathan Wilcox said he was reluctant to enter pleas.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Matt Pawsey said it was a “difficult” situation.
“As of [Monday] morning, he’s still in a coma,” he told the court.
“There may or may not be more serious charges preferred.”
Magistrate Roger Prowse said any hearing on the charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm would not be heard in the court until at least July, but was told the case could go “the other way”.
Mr Prowse granted both sides a one-week adjournment to allow police to gather medical evidence on the man’s condition and any subsequent charges.
“Bail not applied for, refused,” he told the court.
As of [Monday] morning, he’s still in a coma ... There may or may not be more serious charges preferred.
- Police Prosecutor Sergeant Matt Pawsey
“Thanks for coming in today.”
“Thank you,” the youth replied.
On Monday, The Leader was told the 49-year-old baker regained consciousness but police are yet to formally confirm the man’s condition in hospital has changed.
Police allege the 17-year-old asked the man for a cigarette on the street shortly before 5am. The worker turned back to his workplace and began to run from the teen, but tripped over and fell to the ground.
The teenager then allegedly took hold of the man as he got to his feet, punched him to the face and knocked him to the ground again, before kicking him.
During the court proceedings, the 17-year-old pleaded not guilty to charges of malicious damage and armed with intent stemming from an unrelated incident on March 20.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
