A MAN was flown to hospital with two fractured bones after allegedly being beaten with a baseball bat while he was set upon by a group of males in Robinvale.
Police said during the attack one man urged another to stop the beating as the victim lay on the group unconscious, saying “stop, you’re giving him brain damage”.
On Thursday a prosecutor told Mildura Magistrates’ Court police believed the attack was in retaliation for an incident when a man was punched in back of the head by an unidentified person.
The court was told the accused and others believed the punch had been delivered by the victim.
On October 24 last year, co-accused Supi Lanumata and four or five others went to a home in Robinvale armed with “unidentified implements” similar to sticks and asked to see the victim, the court heard.
It is alleged Lanumata and the group used the implements to smash a window after being told the man was not home.
The group left in a car and found the victim walking along Cleary Drive, Robinvale, the court was told.
The court was told Lanumata walked up to the victim demanding to know why he had hit the man in the back of the head, a claim he denied.
Lanumata punched the victim in the mouth before he and other males dragged the man into bushes and punched and kicked him while he lay on the ground trying to protect himself, the court heard.
It is alleged Lanumata got a baseball bat from the car and hit the victim in the leg, fracturing his tibia and saying “I hope I f*** your leg up”, before hitting him in the head with the bat.
A prosecutor said while the victim lay on the ground unconscious, one of the men said “stop, you’re giving him brain damage”.
The court was told another car then pulled up, another male got out and kicked and punched the victim in the face, causing a split lip.
The victim was flown to a Melbourne hospital for surgery suffering a fractured leg and wrist and numerous lacerations.
Lanumata was arrested two days later when police searched his home and found sneakers splattered with blood and clothing he was described as wearing during the alleged assault.
The court heard the prosecution was waiting for the results of DNA testing on blood found at the scene and on Lanumata’s shoes.
Magistrate Michael Coghlan looked at photographs of the victim, saying his injuries were “very significant”.
He said if Lanumata pleaded guilty to all charges, he would sentence him to 12 months’ jail.
Defence counsel said he was waiting to see the full extent of evidence against his client.
Lanumata remains in custody with the matter adjourned to February 3.
