Vic: Attack on AFL dad "explosive", court told

AAP General News (Australia)
04-07-2009
Vic: Attack on AFL dad "explosive", court told

By Daniel Fogarty

MELBOURNE, April 7 AAP - A man who allegedly bashed the father of a Melbourne AFL footballer
appeared to demonstrate uncontrolled rage during the attack, a magistrate says.

Jesse Mallinder, 24, seemed "completely out of control" when he allegedly headbutted
Brad Jones outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground last Saturday, magistrate Jon Klestadt
said.

Mr Jones, the father of Demons midfielder Nathan Jones, suffered a broken nose, fractured
ribs and loose teeth from the attack.

Mallinder, who appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, and two other
men aged 19 and 21 have been charged for the attack.

The court heard on Tuesday that Mallinder was on bail for another violent attack.

Police informant Detective Senior Constable Mark Sontag told the court Mallinder was
walking through the crowd being aggressive and swearing at people.

It is alleged that Mr Jones, who was with his son Zak at the time, called Mallinder
a "cock head" as he walked past.

Mallinder then allegedly head butted Mr Jones before taking part in a sustained attack
of kicks and punches.

The other two men then allegedly joined the assault.

Mr Klestadt ordered a report be conducted into the reasons behind the alleged attack.

"He has behaved in a way which appears to demonstrate on the face of it completely
uncontrolled rage," Mr Klestadt said.

"This unexplained explosion of rage that has led not only to the injuries to the victim,
but as is inherent in charges of affray, a great deal of distress, concern and potentially
trauma to the victim.

"There is evidence that his behaviour was completely out of control."

Mr Klestadt said the behaviour appeared to be that of a drug affected person, but the
court heard Mallinder was not drug or alcohol affected at the time.

Mallinder's lawyer Michael Stanton said his client was the father of a young boy.

He said Mallinder would likely lose his job in the demolition industry if he was kept
in custody for an extended period.

Mr Klestadt remanded Mallinder, of Ferntree Gully, whose charges include affray, recklessly
causing serious injury and assault by kicking, in custody until Wednesday.

AAP df/mh/ss/apm

KEYWORD: MALLINDER

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