Paul Bruce Bray (right) leaves the ACT Courts on Tuesday after he was granted bail. Photo: Albert McKnight.
It was unclear if a man taken to hospital in a critical condition after an incident in a southern Canberra caravan park will recover, a court heard when his alleged attacker applied for bail.
Paul Bruce Bray has been handed a charge of recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm over the allegations.
The 49-year-old called police at about 5:30 pm on Monday (15 September) to say another man was lying unconscious at his front door after they allegedly got into a fight, an ACT Policing spokesperson said.
Officers arrived at Bray’s home in the Southside Village caravan park in Symonston and began CPR on the unconscious man before paramedics arrived and took over his resuscitation.
“After some time, [paramedics] were able to stabilise him and he was transported to the Canberra Hospital in a critical condition,” the police spokesperson said.
Bray was arrested at the scene and faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday (16 September) to apply for bail, which was opposed by the prosecution.
The court heard he and the man had gotten into an argument before the alleged fight, then he raised the question of self-defence when he called police.
The court also heard his alleged victim was now in an uncertain condition.
“It is not clear if he will get better,” Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker said.
Bray’s lawyer, Eliza Wilson of Legal Aid, drew attention to the fact that her client called police himself and said that action was not consistent with a person who was going to flee or intimidate witnesses.
She said he had ongoing employment as a contractor, was supported by an employer and had a place where he could live that was not the caravan park.
The prosecutor said the alleged victim’s situation was “still in the balance” and there was the possibility that other charges would be laid in the future.
He also said it appeared Bray struggled with his alcohol use.
Chief Magistrate Walker said the alleged assault appeared to be a serious example of grievous bodily harm, but it seemed the most significant aspect of the police investigation had finished.
She was concerned about his ability to not drink alcohol, but also said there was nothing to indicate he couldn’t comply with a bail condition not to.
Bail was granted on conditions including that he reside under a curfew, not drink alcohol and undergo breath testing when required.
No plea was entered and the matter was adjourned to 13 October.
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