A 19-year-old Dubbo man has been refused bail after allegedly assaulting a man, hitting him over the head with a glass bottle and stabbing him in the abdomen at Nyngan.
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Jeremiah Chandler appeared via video link in Dubbo Local Court on Monday charged with reckless wounding in company, a charge which can carry up to 10 years imprisonment.
The court heard the 33-year-old victim was leaving the showground when he encountered a group of 15 people standing at the gate. The victim allegedly joked toward the group stating "what's going on here" before walking past.
Chandler is alleged to have approached the victim, holding a glass bottle by the neck before he smashed it over the victim's forehead, causing lacerations to his face and head.
The court heard a number of co-accused allegedly joined in on the attack, punching the victim in the back of the head and body. A number of people in the group also recorded the incident on their phones, with the court told you could hear them supporting Chandler.
Witnesses attempted to break up the incident, before the victim's mother noticed a puncture wound over the left side of his rib cage.
The victim was taken to Nyngan Hospital before being rushed to Dubbo Hospital where he remained in a serious condition.
An emotional Chandler was supported by his mother and brother in court.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Adam Corrigan opposed bail due to the serious nature of the offence, and it being an unprovoked attack.
However defence lawyer Jacklyn Dougan-Jones said while it was a serious charge, prior to this incident Chandler had no criminal record, was gainfully employed, and was vulnerable in custody.
Ms Dougan-Jones highlighted it was not an unprovoked attack and said the victim allegedly assaulted people earlier in the night, the court heard.
A letter from his mother, and his employer at Dubbo Landscaping highlighted strong support for Chandler, and emphasised both were "shocked by the allegation".
The court heard Chandler's employer describe him as as a "polite, hard working, trustworthy, wholesome, all round great young man".
Magistrate Brian van Zuylen however said it was a "serious allegation" and the court's reading of the case was a strong one.
"In the court's view there's an unacceptable risk of him committing a serious offence and endangering the safety of the victim and the community," he said.
Chandler was refused bail and will appear before Dubbo Local Court on April 21.
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