A court has heard that a 47-year-old man who was allegedly assaulted at a Mooroopna shopping centre last month has been transferred to a palliative care unit as a result of his injuries.
Matthew Atkinson, 19, was refused bail in Shepparton Magistrates Court on Friday, charged with several offences including intentionally causing serious injury, recklessly causing serious injury, assault by kicking as well as drug-related charges.
The court heard Mr Atkinson saw the man at the shopping centre on May 22 before approaching him. It is alleged he then punched the 47-year-old in the head and body.
The man fell to the ground after being punched, before Mr Atkinson allegedly stomped on his head twice, rendering him unconscious.
The court heard the victim sustained a skull fracture and a "catastrophic" brain bleed.
He was flown to Royal Melbourne Hospital and has since been transferred from intensive care to the palliative care unit.
Senior Constable Sarah Roberts told the court she had been in contact with the hospital regularly.
"His condition is determined as being terminal," she said.
In a statement given to police that was earlier read in court, one person claimed they saw Mr Atkinson lift his right leg and stomp down with his heel onto the man's face.
"I remember seeing something white, either teeth or something, flying out into the air," they said.
Bail refused
Mr Atkinson was assessed by Youth Justice and for the Court Integrated Services Program (CISP).
A report by Youth Justice found Mr Atkinson was not a suitable candidate for its support services, outlining as reasons his failure to engage in services previously, the serious nature of the current offending and high risk of reoffending as well as concerns with over-servicing.
Mr Atkinson stated in a CISP report that he did not like talking to people and he was not seeking to engage in any form of counselling or mental health support outside of a GP at this time.
Mr Atkinson's solicitor, Ian Michaelson, said his client was currently engaged in some services, including one that had assisted him in finding employment and offered cultural support.
"We're dealing with a very vulnerable, complicated person who is 19 and has spent a lot of time in the care of the state," Mr Michaelson said.
The prosecution argued there was a strong case of prosecution and that there was a risk to the community and of further offending given Mr Atkinson's apparent lack of willingness to engage in support services.
His application for bail was refused, with the magistrate giving weight to the nature of the injuries sustained by the victim and the uncertainty of whether he will survive.
Mr Atkinson will next appear before court in October.
