Roofer to fight stab rap

A GOLD Coast father accused of stabbing a man multiple times after a Palm Beach brawl was granted bail yesterday.

Roofer Anthony Neilson, 29, plans to fight charges which carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Police allege the Worongary man got into a fight with a group of men at the Palm Beach Hotel at about 7.45pm on May 25.

The melee spilt out on to the street where a 26-year-old man was allegedly stabbed several times with an “unknown weapon”.

The younger man was taken to the Tweed Heads Hospital with facial fractures, a punctured lung and some other stab-related injuries.

Neilson was charged in relation to the injuries on Wednesday.

Yesterday the small business owner appeared in the Southport Magistrates Court with an arm still in a plaster cast after it was broken during the fight.

Neilson is charged with one count each of committing malicious acts and assault occasioning bodily harm.

Neilson’s lawyer Michael McMillan, principal of McMillan Criminal Law, told the court his client was a family man with a good working history.

In granting bail, Magistrate Don MacKenzie reminded Neilson the charges he faces carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Neilson’s bail conditions include reporting to police, surrendering his passport and he must not contact prosecution witnesses.

Outside court Mr McMillan said his client would fight the charges and was himself the victim.