Jack Brian Cant, a 22-year-old from Conder, has been refused bail in the ACT Magistrates Court. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
A group of masked and sword-wielding intruders allegedly assaulted a man at his home in Turner earlier this year, sending him to hospital for his injuries.
A 17-year-old boy and 21-year-old Brodie Job from Chisholm have been arrested over their alleged roles, while more allegations were revealed when a third alleged intruder, 22-year-old Jack Brian Cant from Conder, applied for bail this week.
ACT Policing said at about 8:30 am on 16 June, police heard three males were allegedly breaking into a unit on MacArthur Avenue in Turner.
The group allegedly entered the unit and assaulted the male occupant, resulting in injuries that required hospitalisation.
Three males ran from the scene when police arrived. The 17-year-old boy and Mr Job were soon arrested after they were found hiding under cars on Northbourne Avenue.
In July, police searched Cant’s home before apparently finding him in a crawl space under the house.
He was remanded in custody before applying for bail in the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday (12 August), when the court heard it alleged the burglary had been premeditated and involved various items, including a small Japanese-style sword.
CCTV footage of a man who appeared bald and was dressed in black entering, leaving and reentering the apartment building when the alleged burglary took place was played to the court, but the face of this man couldn’t be seen.
The prosecutor alleged this man was Cant. She also alleged the 17-year-old boy had been recorded discussing the incident on a phone call from the Bimberi Youth Justice Centre later in June.
“I remember everything from when I was at Jack’s house,” the boy allegedly said in the call.
Cant’s lawyer, David Bloomfield from Legal Aid, argued the CCTV had “virtually no probative value” and the fact the man in the footage had “general baldness” didn’t narrow down who it really could be.
He argued the phone calls were inadmissible and it was conceded that the 17-year-old and his client knew each other. When it came to how his client had apparently been hiding under the house, he said his client had a general fear of police.
“There’s nothing to link him to the crime. There’s nothing to link him to the crime scene,” Mr Bloomfield said.
The prosecutor alleged the man in the CCTV was consistent with the appearance of Cant and police found similar clothes worn by the man when they searched Cant’s bedroom.
She also said the victim of the alleged burglary was unable to identify the intruders as he said they had been wearing facial coverings.
Magistrate Alexandra Burt said the allegations outlined a serious example of a burglary.
She acknowledged issues with the prosecution’s case against Cant, but expressed concern about the likelihood of reoffending and endangering community safety.
The magistrate refused bail and adjourned the matter to 25 September.
Cant has entered not guilty pleas to charges of recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm by joint commission and burglary.
Mr Job has been charged with recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm by joint commission, burglary and unlawful possession of stolen property.
He was granted bail and is scheduled to return to court on 25 August.
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