Damien Arthur George Hodder: Bail granted after alleged fight in Hungry Jack’s Geraldton leaves woman injured

A man accused of starting a fight with a man dating his ex-girlfriend, which spilled into a busy Hungry Jack’s dining area, has been granted bail. Damien Arthur George Hodder, 22, appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court from custody on Monday morning, accused of starting a violent fight inside Hungry Jack’s Geraldton and punching his ex-girlfriend three times. He was charged with unlawful wounding and two counts of unlawful assault. He pleaded not guilty to two counts of unlawful assault and did not enter pleas to the wounding charge. The court was told Mr Hodder was shopping at Coles in Northgate Shopping Centre on Saturday afternoon when a verbal argument began between the accused and his ex-girlfriend’s current partner. Shortly after, police prosecutor Sen. Const. Thomas Potts said Mr Hodder approached the couple, who were sitting at Hungry Jack’s with the woman’s four-year-old daughter, and allegedly called the man out for a fight. A physical altercation occurred inside the dining area of the fast food chain, the court was told. Sen. Const. Potts said Mr Hodder allegedly picked up a chair and threw it at the woman, who stood between the men. He allegedly picked the woman up by the throat and punched her three times and the fight continued between the men. The court was told the woman received lacerations to her eyebrow and cheek and required five stitches. Mr Hodder was arrested by police on Sunday. He was granted bail with conditions not to approach Hungry Jack’s Geraldton, and not to approach the alleged victims or be within 50m of where they live, work or are educated. The matter was adjourned to Wednesday, July 31 for a trial listing hearing. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)