Brawl witness doubts

A MAN knocked unconscious in a brawl outside a Hobart nightclub had downed about 15 whiskey drinks in the hours before the attack and has gaps in his memory, a court has heard.

Accused Alexander Shaquille Thomas Nandan, 24, has pleaded not guilty to one count of assault.

Crown prosecutor Simone Wilson yesterday told the Supreme Court in Hobart Mr Nandan kicked and/or punched Benjamin Wolfe to his head and/or body outside Ivory Lounge Bar on Collins St about 1.20am on July 31, 2016.

Ms Wilson said the fight, which involved five men, spilt out onto the street after Mr Nandan and his co-accused started a “scuffle” in the male bathrooms at the venue.

Mr Wolfe, who appeared on the witness stand, told the jury he had consumed about 15 Jack Daniels’ over a period of six hours on the night in question but was still “thinking clearly”.

“Once outside, we were swearing at them, they were swearing at us,” he said.

“Kyl and I walked towards the middle of the road and they followed us over. We told them we didn’t want to fight.

“Alex walked towards me with his fist clenched like he was going to hit me. He punched me in my left eye and I threw one punch back. I just remember going to the ground and being kicked repeatedly. I covered up on the ground and then the next memory I have is getting up to Alex screaming abuse.”

But defence lawyer Kim Baumeler challenged Mr Wolfe’s version of events, pointing out a number of differences between his initial police statement and what he had told the jury.

Under cross examination Mr Wolfe conceded that he did not remember who had delivered the blow to his eye which sent him to the ground, agreeing he had told police Mr Nandan only punched him to the head beforehand.

Ms Baumeler also said it was Mr Wolfe and his friend who had started the fight in the bathroom.

“I’m suggesting that you’re making it up because the bouncers were called and you pushed the blame on the other two because you didn’t want to be kicked out,” she said.

“It was you who was escorted outside first … you didn’t leave because you were waiting for them and wanted to continue the altercation you had started. You were being aggressive towards them and invited them to finish the fight.”

Mr Wolfe agreed there was “plenty of time” for him to walk off but denied provoking Mr Nandan and his co-accused once they were outside.