Brain bleed ‘accidental’
alexandria.utting@news.com.au
Hope Island app developer Bojan Milic, 26, has pleaded not guilty.
Several men said they heard a “thud” when Mr Watts hit the kerb at the Star Gold Coast cab rank on September 29, 2013. 2018 COMMONWEALTH GAMES HOST CITY
The Sunshine Coast man suffered bleeding to the brain, fractures and had spinal fluid running out his nose after being punched in the face while visiting the Coast on a buck’s night, the court heard.
Milic is alleged to have attacked Mr Watts following a dispute between a number of people. One of Milic’s friends was allegedly shoved into a hedge.
Defence barrister Wayne Tolton conceded part of Milic’s arm had hit Mr Watts but said he was acting in self-defence after being grabbed from behind in a choke hold.
He said the injuries caused by Mr Watts’ fall to the ground were accidental.
Mr Watts told the court he could not remember most of the day before he was injured.
“We had breakfast together and I can’t remember anything after that,” he said.
“Later that week I woke up in hospital and realised what had happened to me.”
Simon Graye, who was with Mr Watts on the night of the incident, told the court how he saw his mate punched in the face.
“I would describe it as a short right hook punch ... it was a hard punch and he was knocked out instantly,” he said.
“His body was straight like a pencil and he fell ... completely backwards.”
Mr Graye said the sound of Mr Watts falling to the ground was so loud people nearby stopped and looked.
“The noise of his head hitting the concrete was quite loud ... all passers by stopped,” he said.
Milic yesterday said he was grabbed around the neck and pulled backwards for about five seconds before Mr Watts was injured.
He said he first heard of Mr Watts’ injuries when contacted by police 13 months after the incident.
The court heard Mr Watts had not made a formal police statement until April 2014.
The trial continues today.