A 22-year-old man accused of helping a teenage boy carry out a vicious machete attack at a public housing complex in Warrawong earlier this month has been refused bail in court.
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Police allege Thomas Mook armed himself with a blow torch and joined the 16-year-old in confronting the young victim in a courtyard inside Illawong Gardens in the early hours of March 12.
The teen, who cannot be named for legal reasons, allegedly swung a machete at the victim's head during the surprise attack, said to have been sparked by an earlier disagreement between the pair.
The victim raised his left forearm in a bid to protect his face from the blade and was hit in the arm. The force of the blow almost severed his hand at the wrist.
Police allege the teen took a second swing at the victim when he fell to the ground, hitting him in the left leg and leaving a gaping wound.
It is alleged Mook then used the blow torch on the victim, leaving a 5 cent coin-sized burn mark behind his left ear.
Mook and the teen allegedly fled the scene, leaving the injured man writhing in pain.
He walked around the complex screaming "call an ambulance, I'm going to die" before collapsing outside one of the units.
The occupant contacted emergency services. The victim was taken to Wollongong Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery to reattach his hand.
He was later transferred to Sydney for further specialist treatment and remains in hospital.
Police arrested the 16-year-old boy the following morning, seizing a machete and clothing from inside his Berkeley home.
He was charged with wounding with intent to murder and subsequently refused bail in Port Kembla Children's Court.
Meanwhile, police searched Mook's home on Wednesday this week. He was arrested on Thursday and charged with the same offence as the teen.
Mook sought release on bail when he fronted Wollongong Local Court on Friday.
Defence lawyer Justice Hall said her client was a young Aboriginal man who would spend a long time in custody awaiting a trial date if he was refused bail.
She said Mook would agree to home detention style conditions if released on bail to live with his mother.
Police opposed Mook's release, noting he was already on strict bail for alleged possession of an illegal firearm at the time of the attack.
In refusing bail, Magistrate Susan McGowan noted the case against Mook appeared a strong one and he would likely face a lengthy jail sentence if convicted.
The case will return to court in June.
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