Club punch ‘ thud’

A WOMAN has told a Townsville court about hearing a “horrible thud” as a man was hit in the head and fell to the ground in a nightclub coward punch attack.

Trent Evan Wehrman, 30, punched 33- year- old Paul Mitchell in the head at Bullwinkles nightclub on December 8, 2014.

Mitchell suffered a fractured skull and has been unable to engage in any physical activity since then to avoid further injury.

Julia Tripp, 25, who witnessed the attack, gave evidence during Wehrman’s sentencing in Townsville District Court yesterday for grievous bodily harm.

Ms Tripp said she saw a punch “get thrown”.

“It all happened real quick,” she said. “It was hard ( the fall) because I could hear it over the music. I could hear a crack of a face being hit. It was a horrible thud.”

CCTV footage of the attack was played to the court.

Crown prosecutor An- drew Walklate told the court Mitchell and Wehrman were seen standing near each other about 1.35am before Mitchell reached his arm out. Wehrman knocked his victim’s arm away before assaulting him, causing Mitchell to fall to the ground and hit his head.

Mr Walklate said the assault was unprovoked.

“At best there was minimal self defence,” he said.

Defence barrister Angus Edwards said it was the victim who first approached his client. “The complainant certainly made a physical action towards my client,” he said. “In his view he was acting in self- defence.

“The CCTV footage shows that my client does step forward, he doesn’t perform any further physical action and stands there for a moment and sees someone raise their hand and point my client away and then he leaves. There’s no suggestion my client continues with what occurred.”

Mr Edwards said his client was remorseful and had attended three lessons of anger management during the 18 months following the offence.

Judge John Baulch said the case needed careful thought.

“I’m not affirmatively persuaded that self defence had a part to play in this,” Judge Baulch said.

“I don’t think it ( CCTV footage) helps much at all. What one can see is someone falling to the ground but I can’t see a blow struck.”

The sentencing was adjourned and is expected to be handed down today.