A Dapto man accused of punching another man in the face outside a Wollongong nightclub, before stealing a phone and fleeing from police across train tracks, has been released from custody.
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Kyle James Roberts, 20, appeared in Wollongong Bail Court on Saturday morning, charged over an alleged altercation outside Fever Nightclub just hours earlier.
According to police facts, Roberts was outside the Atchison Street nightspot when a group of people walked past about 3.40am.
Police allege Roberts said something to one member of the group, causing them to turn around and walk towards him.
When the approaching man got within arm’s reach, Roberts allegedly punched him once to the face “causing the inside of his mouth to split and bleed”.
The group then intervened, preventing Roberts from striking again, the facts said.
A short time later, Roberts allegedly spotted a phone – a new iPhone XS Max – on the ground, picked it up and put it in his pocket.
Police were called and Roberts allegedly sprinted away from officers towards Wollongong train station.
“Police chased the accused as he ran into the eastern side of the train station, jumped off the platform and onto the tracks,” the facts said.
“The accused ran west across the train tracks and jumped the boundary fence into the car park.”
It’s alleged Roberts then ran into an area of the car park surrounded by a large spiked fence and threw himself on the ground in a corner to try and hide from officers.
He was arrested and searched, with officers allegedly finding the iPhone.
Roberts was taken to Wollongong police station and “placed into a time out due to his level of intoxication”, before being charged with larceny, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and going onto train tracks.
In court, police prosecutor Sergeant Amelia Wall opposed bail, saying the case against Roberts was “strong”.
Sgt Wall said police had spoken with a number of witnesses at the scene, including a security guard, and that CCTV footage viewed by officers clearly showed the assault on the alleged victim.
“The attack is unprovoked,” she told the court.
Legal Aid solicitor Felicity Jackson said Roberts, a full-time scaffolder, had no previous assault matters on his record. Ms Jackson said Roberts, who was supported in court by his mother, would abide by a night-time curfew and turn up to court.
Registrar Bruiceen Coulthard granted Roberts strict conditional bail. The conditions include living at his mother’s Dapto address, reporting to police daily, and not leaving home between 8pm and 4.30am. Roberts must also not consume alcohol or drugs, and not enter Fever Nightclub. The case returns to court on October 23.
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Andrew Pearson
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
