Serious Assault – Grievous Bodily Harm – Not Guilty

Our client faced serious criminal charges in relation to an altercation outside a nightclub in central Sydney. He had been accused of reckless grievous bodily harm and affray following an incident that left the complainant with multiple facial fractures, including a broken jaw, cheekbone and nose. Each of these injuries required surgical reconstruction, involving the placement of metal plates and screws.

The prosecution alleged that our client was the aggressor in what they characterised as an unprovoked and violent assault. However, upon our review of the police brief and an exhaustive analysis of the CCTV footage, it became clear that the events had not unfolded in the manner police had suggested. The footage showed that our client had been physically confronted by another individual, and that his response occurred in the heat of the moment and was proportionate to the threat posed.

We prepared the matter for a defended hearing before the Local Court. Through cross-examination of the complainant and attending police officers, we were able to expose several inconsistencies in the prosecution’s version of events. The Court ultimately accepted that the evidence did not exclude the possibility that our client had acted in lawful self-defence.

As a result, our client was acquitted of all charges. He received no conviction, no penalty, and was able to leave court with his record and reputation entirely intact.