Man on bash charge

Woman in hospital, PNG national denied bail

AN alleged brutal assault has left a woman recovering in a Far North hospital with significant injuries and a PNG national behind bars after he was denied bail.

Russel Dua allegedly bashed a woman in the street at Port Douglas about 3am.

The 31-year-old appeared in the Cairns Magistrates Court this morning on one count of causing grievous bodily harm, where his lawyer Joseph Crawfoot made a bid to have Mr Dua released on strict conditions.

Police have alleged Mr Dua was seen punching and kicking the 27-year-old woman on Davidson St.

Paramedics treated her at the scene before taking her to Mossman Hospital with suspected facial fractures. The court heard Mr Dua, who had no criminal history, was in a show cause situation, which meant he was not entitled to bail and must prove why he should be released.

He is in Australia on a tourist visa and has family, living in the Port Douglas region, who he could stay with.

Mr Crawfoot said his client would also surrender his passport and agree to reporting and no contact orders.

Magistrate Sandra Pearson said the “allegations are extremely serious” with a penalty around “the five-year range” if found guilty, even for a first-time offender.

“The starting point remains though that Mr Dua is in a show cause position,” Magistrate Pearson said. “This does appear to be a strong prosecution case and I have no doubt that if he’s found guilty or pleads guilty to this offence he will receive a significant … sentence with at least 12 months to be served.”

Bail was denied and the matter was adjourned to callover early next month.

THIS DOES APPEAR TO BE A STRONG PROSECUTION CASE AND I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT IF HE’S FOUND GUILTY OR PLEADS GUILTY TO THIS OFFENCE HE WILL RECEIVE A SIGNIFICANT … SENTENCE WITH AT LEAST 12 MONTHS TO BE SERVED. MAGISTRATE SANDRA PEARSON