Field stays in jail despite co-accused’s release

FORMER NRL star Craig Field (pictured) will spend at least six more weeks behind bars on murder charges, despite his coaccused being granted bail.

Field, 39, did not apply for bail when his case was mentioned in Lismore Local Court yesterday.

The matter was adjourned until October 2 while prosecutors finish compiling their case against him and alleged accomplice, Shaun Fathers, 41.

They are charged with the murder of Kingscliff farmer Kelvin Kane, 50, after a brawl at the Kingscliff pub on July 15 ended with Mr Kane dying from severe head injuries.

Police will allege an argument in the pub spilled into a scuffle in the carpark at 9.15pm.

Police believe one forceful punch caused Mr Kane to fall and hit his head on the ground and go into cardiac arrest. His life support was turned off soon after at Tweed Hospital.

Gold Coast lawyer Stephen Buchanan has taken on Field’s defence and said he would wait for 15 items, including medical reports, that were yet to be provided in the prosecution brief, before discussing bail with Field.

Fathers was granted bail nine days after the incident on July 24 on condition he move away.

He is believed to be living in Bathurst.

Neither Field nor Fathers appeared in court yesterday but Crown prosecutors applied to take DNA swabs of both men as part of forensic evidence.

Mr Buchanan did not oppose the request but Fathers’ lawyer, Cameron Bell, said he had not received the application and needed more time to review it.