A tattooist accused of causing serious head injuries to another man near a popular Gold Coast venue at the weekend has been granted bail on the condition he does not drink in public.
Mitchell Luke O'Brien, 28, faced Southport Magistrates Court on Monday charged with one count of grievous bodily harm and one count of being drunk or disorderly at a premises.
The charges came after an altercation over a vehicle between Mr O'Brien and a 19-year-old man behind the venue Justin Lane in Burleigh Heads, just after 8pm on Saturday.
The court heard Mr O'Brien was in the alleyway behind his work where his car was parked when he saw the 19-year-old trying to open the door of the vehicle.
The court heard an argument then broke out and Mr O'Brien punched the man twice in the face, causing him to fall backwards and hit his head on the ground.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Michael Vanderhelm told the court the injured teen was "enjoying a night out with friends" when he was allegedly attacked.
The court heard Mr O'Brien fled the scene after the incident and initially gave the police a fake name when arrested.
The court heard the 19-year-old man had undergone surgery after sustaining a skull fracture and bleeding on the brain.
He is currently on a ventilator in the Gold Coast University Hospital Intensive Care Unit but the long-term injuries are unknown, the court heard.
Defence solicitor James Treanor said Mr O'Brien had been school captain and pursued the arts into a career of tattooing.
He said his client had previously spent 18 months in a rehab facility for a "drug issue" but was now working full time.
Mr O'Brien was granted bail on the condition he live in Coolangatta and report to police twice a week.
Magistrate Michelle Dooley also ordered Mr O'Brien to submit to an alcohol test when required and not to drink in public, as a condition of his bail.
Mr O'Brien will return to court on November 22.
