Fairlight man Jesse Allan has had his conditional bail continued at Manly Local Court this morning, 9 February. The 24 year old has also been served with new charges – Assault Causing Death – after the man he is accused of assaulting died in hospital earlier this week.
Manly Observer understands that 37-year-old Matthew Williams had his life support turned off on Tuesday night, 6 February. We are naming him now that all family have been informed of the death but continue to not use images of the Narraweena man until family approval has been given.
Police will allege that Mr Allan assaulted Mr Williams at 2.43am on the 27th January, 2024, outside 8-28 The Corso, Manly.
The prosecution sought to have Mr Allan’s bail revoked this morning, as they were concerned he was a flight risk given the “strength of the prosecution’s case” and the “inevitability of a custodial sentence.” He also has connections in the United Kingdom.
In supporting his opposition for bail, the police prosecutor said Mr Allan sought out the victim half an hour after a prior altercation between the two.
He claimed CCTV footage showed Mr Williams “covering his head in protection and the defendant then pushes him to the floor. The defendant approaches, Mr Williams stands back up and starts backing away from the defendant, the defendant approached Mr Williams, and Mr Williams placed his hand over his head for protection again. The defendant then pushes him with force causing him to fall backwards.”
He also referenced that Mr Allan went out again to Manly Wharf Hotel less than 12 hours after the alleged offence took place.
However, Magistrate Robyn Denes continued Mr Allan’s conditional bail, under which he must not leave home unless in the company of his mother or father. He has had to surrender his passports and must abstain from taking alcohol or drugs.
In explaining her decision, Magistrate Denes referenced the Bail Act, which states that bail should not be used to punish a person who is yet to be prosecuted for a crime. The defence assured the court Mr Allan was not a flight risk, and that he had so far complied with all conditions of his bail.Conditional Bail was continued with bail set at $1,000.
