Coward punch accused now on bail after arrest warrant issued

A 28 year old man failed to appear in court on Tuesday after allegedly coward punching a 45 year old man at a Sunshine Coast venue.

In March, Nicholas James Cadman was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm after allegedly striking the man on the side of the face at the Malt Shovel Taphouse at Birtinya.

According to police, the victim sustained serious injuries around 11pm on 27 March when he was struck by Mr Cadman, leading him to fall and hit his head on the concrete.

It is alleged that Cadman left without offering assistance.

Police have also said that the victim had been asked to take a photograph of a woman on the dancefloor when the alleged attack happened.

Mr Cadman was supposed to appear before Caloundra Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 11 May but didn’t turn up.

A warrant was issued for his arrest following his failure to appear.

However, he surrendered himself to the courthouse the following day with the excuse that he had “mixed up” the days that he was due to appear.

Magistrate Rodney Madsen told Mr Cadman he was “lucky it’s just one day” and said he was prepared to enforce stricter measures if he had not turned himself in.

Mr Cadman’s bail was extended and the matter was adjourned to 16 June.

As part of his bail conditions, Mr Cadman is banned from attending NightQuarter and the Malt Shovel Taphouse in Birtinya.

Irit Jackson, 13th May 2021