Samuel Dickerson denied bail after alleged assault against a good Samaritan at Dongara’s Old Mill Motel

A Geraldton man accused of committing a brutal assault, along with his partner, on a good Samaritan at a Dongara motel has been denied bail.

Samuel Collin Brendon Dickerson appeared via video link in Geraldton Magistrate’s Court on Monday for a bail application on one charge of grievous bodily harm.

Police prosecutor Sgt Paul Birkinshaw alleged on August 6 at the Old Mill Motel in Dongara about 9.20pm, Dickerson’s partner Toni Farrell left unit 25 following a verbal altercation.

The court was told she approached the door of a neighbouring unit and told the 52-year-old man inside she needed police assistance for a domestic violence incident.

The alleged victim came out of the unit and was approached by Mr Dickerson and the court was told he feared for his safety due to the accused’s body language.

Police allege Mr Dickerson struck the alleged victim several times to the left side of his face and kicked him on the ground with significant force.

While on the ground police say Ms Farrell joined in kicking and punching the alleged victim who was able to get away and back into the unit.

He suffered a suspected broken jaw and was flown to Perth for surgery.

Lawyer Xavier Sellanthambu said Mr Dickerson and his partner had travelled for a darts competition on the night of the alleged offence.

He claimed Mr Dickerson drank a moderate amount of alcohol while his partner was severely intoxicated.

It is alleged Ms Farrell started to bait Mr Dickerson on the way back to the Old Mill Motel.

Once there, she started to consume further alcohol and continued to bait him, the court was told.

In CCTV footage shown to the court, Ms Farrell can be seen carrying a can and drinking from it.

The lawyer questioned whether Mr Dickerson approached the alleged victim in an aggressive manner, stating “I don’t see anything about the way he was walking as aggressive”.

The court was told Mr Dickerson was trying to explain that his partner was heavily intoxicated when the alleged victim advanced towards him.

The court was told the alleged victim then attempted to punch Mr Dickerson who ducked and responded with a punch.

Once on the ground, Mr Sellathambu said Ms Farrell could be seen on the CCTV footage kicking the alleged victim in the head numerous times, while Mr Dickerson claimed he was trying to get the alleged victim off him.

Mr Sellathambu argued that Ms Farrell, who was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, was the primary offender.

However, Magistrate Angus Hockton said the level of violence for both accused was not justified.

The court was told Mr Dickerson was on a conditional imprisonment order for a charge earlier this year.

Mr Hockton outlined a poor record for bail, citing a breach of protective bail in 2020 and further breaches going back to 2003.

He denied bail, stating the serious nature of the allegations and the risk Mr Dickerson would not appear in court as two determining factors.

A home detention assessment report will be prepared and Mr Dickerson will re-appear in court on September 19.