A dispute over the use of a restaurant toilet allegedly ended with a Mangerton man throwing a bottle and smashing a door with a nearby shovel, a court has heard.
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Leslie Juhasz yesterday entered pleas of not guilty to malicious damage and assault in Wollongong Local Court, claiming he was actually assaulted and thrown down a set of stairs during the incident.
The 49-year-old entered a restaurant on Corrimal Street, Wollongong, about 8.15pm on Friday and made his way to the toilets at the rear of the building.
A few minutes later a concerned customer approached the licensee to inform him a man had locked himself in a cubicle in the female toilets, and when the owner knocked on the door Juhasz allegedly began yelling obscenities.
Juhasz exited a few moments later holding a bottle in his hand, police will allege.
While being escorted down a rear staircase, the court heard Juhasz threw the glass bottle at the licensee, missing him by 30cm.
The Mangerton man then picked up a nearby shovel and began hitting a glass door, the court heard.
Police arrived and Juhasz was arrested.
In opposing bail, police prosecutor Sergeant Ben Hart said the accused had thrown the bottle at the shopkeeper for no apparent reason and posed a serious risk to the community should he be granted bail.
Defence solicitor Angela Melouney, appearing for Juhasz, said her client could report regularly to police, stay 100m from the premises and agree not to approach the alleged victim. She said Juhasz strongly denied the police facts and insisted he was assaulted and thrown down the back stairs.
Ms Melouney said there did not appear to be any other witnesses and the case would likely be Juhasz's word against the restaurant owner's.
Magistrate Michael Stoddart refused Juhasz bail, and referred him for medical attention. Juhasz will appear in Wollongong Local Court on August 13.