Man left in pool of blood

A DISPUTE resolution solicitor punched a man in the face at a house-warming party, leaving him in a pool of blood on the street, a court has heard.

But Jarad Peter Maher claims he was acting in self defence when he allegedly punched Dean Pozzan in the face at the front of a Mermaid Waters home on July 2, 2016.

Maher pleaded not guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court to one count of assault occasioning bodily harm.

The court was told Maher had been invited to former colleague Andrew Kyle’s home for a house-warming, where he met Mr Pozzan.

Partygoers said they saw Maher and Mr Pozzan having a “strained” conversation in the hours before the punch.

Lara Pozzan, Mr Pozzan’s sister-in-law, said she saw Maher glaring at Mr Pozzan.

“He said ‘let’s go, I am a professional boxer, I do this for a living’,” Ms Pozzan said. She said she recalled Mr Pozzan saying he did not want to fight.

Mr Kyle told the court he had seen the exchange and asked Maher to leave. He said he escorted Maher to the nature strip in front of his home.

Mr Kyle told the court while he was there, he saw Mr Pozzan “striding angrily” towards the nature strip.

Ms Pozzan soon arrived at the front, waiting for an Uber.

She said she saw Maher and Mr Pozzan wrestling near a tree before the scuffle moved onto the street.

Ms Pozzan said she then saw Maher punch Mr Pozzan.

“Dean’s head went back and he lost his balance and then he was on the road and there was blood coming from his face,” she said.

There matter was until May 21. adjourned