Attacker to face justice

A CAIRNS man who attacked his jail cellmate after accusing him of using “black magic” on him and throwing a full beer bottle at his sister will learn his fate in court today.

Ricky James Cowan, 30, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm and malicious act with intent to cause grievous bodily harm in the Cairns District Court yesterday.

His father, also named Ricky Cowan, is currently before the court for an unrelated matter, accused of the stabbing murder of his long-term partner Crystal Ratcliffe in October 2016.

The court heard yesterday the younger Cowan threw a cup of hot water over his cellmate at Lotus Glen Correctional Centre and punched him three times in the face during an altercation in the exercise yard in May 2015.

Crown prosecutor Nicole Friedewald said Cowan had been talking to him about bush spells before accusing him of using black magic to break up him and his partner.

He left the yard and returned with a cup of hot water which he threw over his cellmate and punched him three times in the face, causing injuries.

Almost 18 months later, after he had been released from jail, the court heard Cowan had been at a family barbecue following Ms Ratcliffe’s funeral and threw a full beer bottle at his 24-year-old sister which struck her in the face.

Ms Friedewald said his sister’s injuries were so severe they required surgery.

“They were both brutal and cowardly attacks,” she said.

“There was also a breach of trust involved in (the attack on your sister) and the injuries that were inflicted were incredibly serious.

“He sat down on a chair outside as she ran inside bleeding profusely.”

The case continues before Judge Tracy Fantin this morning.