Man charged over road death sent to Torres Strait

A MAN accused of punching another man on to the road and into the path of a truck has been ordered to move back to the Torres Strait, away from four key witnesses, after being granted bail.

Gaugu Robert Sailor, 22, was charged with manslaughter over the death of Innisfail man Zachary Crease, 46, in Victoria St, Cardwell on June 21.

Police have alleged the pair got into a physical fight on the road outside a small party they were both attending before Mr Crease was pushed on to the road and fatally hit by a passing B-double.

Despite police prosecutor Senior Constable Jeannette O’reilly saying the case against Sailor was strong, including witnesses and video footage before and after the event, defence solicitor Peter Haarsma challenged that.

He said his client said he only punched Mr Crease once during their fight, then walked away. He told the court Sailor then said he saw the older man sitting in the middle of the road, before he turned around a minute later and saw Mr Crease hit by the truck.

Mr Haarsma also raised concerns over one of the witness accounts, from the only person who claimed to have seen what occurred.

He said the witness provided two statements — the first where he claimed to have seen “nothing” and the second where he gave a full account.

“It appears to be a selfserving statement,” Mr Haarsma said.

Magistrate Mark Nolan ordered Sailor to have no contact with four named witnesses and to remain on Murray Island. The case was adjourned until September 2.