Teen accused of fatal assault named

A man accused of violently assaulting a 22-year-old during a night out on the Gold Coast – leading to his death a week later – has appeared in court for the first time.

Austin Lewis Blaney Ballard, 18, was arrested overnight and charged with unlawful striking causing the death of Cameron Duce in Burleigh Heads last month.

Police allege Mr Duce was assaulted during a night out with friends when a brawl allegedly erupted on September 22.

He was rushed to Gold Coast University hospital in a critical condition but died six days later on September 28.

Dressed in a Bunnings shirt and khaki shorts, Mr Ballard said nothing as he applied for bail during his first appearance before Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The Robina man’s family packed seats in the public gallery as he was brought up from the cells.

Bail was opposed by police, with prosecutor Qi Wang submitting there was a risk of Mr Ballard interfering with witnesses to the alleged assault.

“He was with a group of people involved in this fight … (and) he knows who they are,” Mr Wang said.

“The risk of him contacting these witnesses is higher.”

The court was told there was a “strong” police case against Mr Ballard.

But magistrate Jakub Lodziak said the affidavit from the arresting officer, who wrote the objection to bail, was “speculative” over Mr Ballard’s risk of interfering with witnesses if granted bail.

“I need to be satisfied the risk is unacceptable, and I’m not,” he said.

The court was told Mr Ballard had been in the community for several days before his arrest and had not approached any of the alleged witnesses in the meantime.

Barrister Scott Lynch, representing Mr Ballard, said his client had a supportive family and accommodation, along with a stable job where he worked 8-10 hours a day.

Mr Lynch submitted his client did not know all of the witnesses to the alleged offence.

Mr Lodziak ultimately granted Mr Ballard bail, imposing conditions that include residential and curfew conditions and a requirement his blood alcohol content be less than 0.05 per cent at all times.

He was also ordered not to have any contact with one alleged witness.

Mr Ballard will return to court on November 5.

In a heartbreaking update on social media on Monday, Mr Duce’s family revealed they had made their decision to let their son “pass peacefully” after being told he would not make a full recovery from his injuries.

“Over the next seven days we sat with Cameron in the Intensive Care Unit at GCUH (Gold Coast University Hospital) where he received the best possible care from the highly qualified professional teams of consultants, neurosurgeons, ICU doctors and the incredible nurses who all provided around the clock 24/7 ongoing care,” Mr Duce’s father Chris wrote on Facebook.

“Cameron was given all the best possible care, including every medical and drug intervention available over the past 7 days.

“However, despite all the care and all the best medical interventions Cameron’s head injuries were too severe for him to overcome.

“We were informed yesterday that Cameron had no chance of any recovery and the family has decided to let our beautiful boy Cameron pass peacefully in his own time.”

Mr Duce’s father paid tribute to his “warm, funny, considerate and caring” son.

“We were fortunate enough to have the time to all say our goodbyes, and his long procession of very good mates as well as all his family and close relatives had the opportunity to come and say goodbye,” Chris continued.