Man left unconscious after a punch outside Coogee Hotel
A man has been charged with reckless grievous harm after a man was punched outside a pub in Sydney’s east.
The assault, which happened outside a Coogee hotel, left an older man in hospital with head injuries.
Police say the assault happened just before midnight on Sunday. Emergency services were called to the scene at about 11.45pm following reports a man had been assaulted.
They claim the 36-year-old approached the 38-year-old outside the hotel on Coogee Bay Road.
The younger man allegedly punched him and his victim fell on the road. Hitting his head on the ground, he was knocked unconscious.
He was treated by paramedics for cuts to the head and then taken to St Vincent's Hospital, where he was treated for a possible fractured cheekbone and lacerations to the head.
He is reportedly in a stable condition.
The 36 year old was arrested when police stopped a taxi.
He was taken to Maroubra police station and charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm.
He will appear in court on September 7.
The police are continuing their investigations.
The case may well add to the debate about Sydney’s controversial lockout laws.
Critics say that whilst assaults in Sydney’s CBD and King’s Cross have fallen by 40 per cent and 32 per cent respectively, the alcohol-fuelled violence has simply moved to other popular night spots like Coogee, or for that matter Bondi Junction and Double Bay.
Dubbo MP and Deputy Premier Tony Grant is saying the lockout laws can be modified as he believes the problem isn’t caused by keeping venues open for revellers until 3am.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Mr Grant supports extending lockout times at late night venues from 1.30am to 3am. He also wants reform that would allow people to take away alcohol after 10pm.
August 23rd 2016
