By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A HALLAM man has been refused bail after allegedly slashing a drinking buddy with a large knife in a drunken and bloody fight.
James Thokluel, who hobbled on a sore leg in the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court dock on 9 January, faced up to 20 years’ jail if found guilty of recklessly causing serious injury to the victim with an offensive weapon.
His lawyer indicated he would contest the charge on the grounds of self-defence, given Thokluel had also received multiple machete wounds in the fight.
The court was told Thokluel had fought with his wife when he returned to his home with mates after a drinking session on 9 December.
One of Thokluel’s mates told police the wife was being beaten and he intervened in the lounge room conflict.
He claimed he was then punched to both sides of the head by Thokluel, and he retaliated with punches.
Thokluel then allegedly collected up to three large kitchen knives and deeply slashed the top of the victim’s hand, resulting in severe blood loss.
At the end of the fight, both Thokluel and the victim were bloodied, hospitalised and required plastic surgery. Thokluel was treated for stab wounds to his shoulder.
In July, Thokluel had been served with an interim intervention order allegedly due to verbally abusing his wife and intentionally self-harming with a knife during an argument.
The defence submitted for Thokluel to be bailed to live at the Hallam home, vacated by his family who now live with the accused’s parents.
Magistrate Pauline Spencer noted Thokluel had no prior criminal history, had worked as a volunteer for a foster-care charity and had strong family support.
On the other hand, Ms Spencer said a history of family violence, abuse of alcohol and the use of weapons were heightened risk factors for ongoing violence.
“My concern is you’re an unacceptable risk of re-offending and endangering the safety of and interfering with witnesses in this case.
“The challenge I have with (placing Thokluel on strict bail conditions) is these new allegations arise in circumstances in which there already was an intervention order in place.
“So I can’t be confident that you’ll be able to follow bail conditions or court orders in the future.”
Thokluel was remanded in custody to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 18 January.
