A Warrawong scaffolder accused of bashing and robbing an elderly man of his pokie winnings in a dark alley behind the Open Hearth Hotel had admitted assaulting the victim but claims it was only a "push" and he didn't steal any money.
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Tyler Pewhairangi, 23, is facing a charge of aggravated robbery causing wounding stemming from the December 2019 incident, which left the 77-year-old victim in hospital.
Police will allege Pewhairangi and the victim were the last two people inside the hotel at closing time, and left within moments of each other, with CCTV footage showing Pewhairangi following the victim along Mowbray Lane then into Cowper Street.
The victim later told police he realised he was lost and asked Pewhairangi for directions to Cringila. The pair walked together before Pewhairangi pushed the man into the yard of a house on Montgomery Avenue.
Pewhairangi allegedly punched the victim in the left side of his face causing him to fall over before demanding, "give me your money".
Police will allege Pewhairangi continued to punch the victim before reaching into his pocket, taking $120 in cash and fleeing the scene, leaving the bloodied man lying on the ground.
CCTV shows the victim walking back past the hotel a short time later, where he is picked by a local taxi driver and taken home.
The man called his son who took him to Wollongong Hospital to be treated for swelling, a wound to his mouth that required four stitches and a cut to his eye socket.
Meanwhile, police were notified and carried out an investigation, resulting in Pewhairangi's arrest on January 10.
When interviewed by detectives, Pewhairangi said he went for a walk to "clear his head after losing $400". He said he gave the victim directions to Cringila but became "frustrated" with him and "grabbed hold of the victim by his shirt...and forcefully pushed him", causing both to fall to the found.
He denied punching and robbing the victim.
Pewhairangi was remanded in custody at the time but last week sought release on bail, saying he suffered from asthma and had a compromised immunity, which would make him especially vulnerable to infection if COVID-19 spread through the jail system.
Defence lawyer Laura Fennell said Pewhairangi did not dispute assaulting the victim but claimed it was only "shoving" and a "push to the ground".
"The Crown may accept a plea to assault occasioning actual bodily harm," she said.
However, Magistrate Claire Girotto refused to release Pewhairangi.
"This looks like a random offence - anybody could have been a victim," she said.
The case was adjourned to May 20.
