Bone used to stab man in neck

A FATHER-OF-TWO received a stab wound to his neck from an animal bone during a fight near Rockhampton’s watchhouse following the court sentencing of his brother-in-law and father figure.

Chris Alan Wayne Collett, 30, of Townsville pleaded guilty on July 1 in Rockhampton Magistrates Court to assault occasioning bodily harm and affray.

Police prosecutor Brandy Butler said the consensual altercation took place on Bolsolver Street, out the front of the Rockhampton Police Station, about 1.35pm on August 16, 2021.

She said CCTV footage depicted a vehicle pulling to the side of the road and Collett and his associate invited the male driver out to fight.

The male attempted to exit the vehicle before being approached by Collett and his associate which caused him to close his door.

Ms Butler said the associate kicked the driver’s door and the driver then exited the vehicle.

“He (the driver) armed himself with an unknown animal bone by wrapping it around his fingers and engaged in the physical fight with the defendant and his,” she said.

Ms Butler said that during the altercation, a female tried to intervene by pushing Collett away from the fight but he turned around and punched her.

She was injured and was later taken to hospital with a bruise on her left jaw and mild pain to the lower neck, and a haematoma (blood clot) on the left side of her scalp.

Magistrate Cameron Press said Collett’s behaviour was “barbaric”, and that it was lucky the woman had not sustained any more serious injuries.

Mr Press sentenced Collett to nine-months prison with immediate parole.