Sydney chainsaw attack: Accused Justin Clarke pictured

A 21-year-old man accused of bashing an elderly man with a chainsaw will remain behind bars for Christmas after a Sydney judge declared he is a ‘risk’ to the community.

Justin Clarke and Jayson Nichols, both 21, appeared separately before Newtown Local Court on Tuesday after the violent altercation on an Annandale street left Giovanni ‘Rocco’ Mezzatesta, 63, with lacerations to his face.

The court was told Clarke, Nichols, and a third man who remains on the run, were trying to visit a brothel when they became involved in the fight. 

The brawl, caught on CCTV and also filmed by bystanders, began when the trio walked up two flights of stairs and entered Mr Mezzatesta’s home on Monday evening, a police prosecutor told the court. 

 

Justin Clarke (pictured), 21, who is accused of bashing an elderly man with a chainsaw, will remain behind bars after a Sydney judge declared he is a ‘risk’ to the community

Clarke (far left) and Jayson Nichols, also 21, appeared separately before Newtown Local Court on Tuesday after the violent altercation on an Annandale Street

Clarke (far left) and Jayson Nichols, also 21, appeared separately before Newtown Local Court on Tuesday after the violent altercation on an Annandale Street

The fight left Giovanni 'Rocco' Mezzatesta (pictured), 63, with lacerations to his face

The fight left Giovanni ‘Rocco’ Mezzatesta (pictured), 63, with lacerations to his face

The men say they thought they were entering a brothel but only had a Coles Myer gift card with them to pay for any sex, the prosecutor added.

They were confronted by Mr Mezzatesta and a fight broke out which spilled onto the street.

Footage allegedly shows Clarke, wielding an electric chainsaw – which wasn’t switched on – striking out at Mr Mezzatesta while neighbours attempt to fight him and Nichols off. 

Mr Mezzatesta’s neighbour and friend Mario told The Daily Telegraph the 63-year-old ‘had cuts everywhere and lots of blood’ covering his face. 

‘Her looked terrible,’ he said.  

Mr Mezzatesta’s brother told the publication he would remain in hospital overnight and was ‘all right.’ 

The prosecutor called the fight an ‘extremely serious’ and ‘terrifying assault’ while their legal aid lawyer said Clarke and Nichols had been forced to defend themselves from the angry residents. 

Justin Clarke (left) and Jayson Nichols, both 21, appeared separately before Newtown Local Court on Tuesday after the violent altercation on an Annandale street left a 63-year-old man with lacerations 

Justin Clarke (left) and Jayson Nichols, both 21, appeared separately before Newtown Local Court on Tuesday after the violent altercation on an Annandale street left a 63-year-old man with lacerations 

But magistrate Margaret Quinn agreed with police that the men had a ‘history of violence’ and were a risk to the community if released.

‘On the facts before me. It is a strong case. He (Clarke) has a criminal history, which is lengthy and the nature of the offence is serious. A custodial sentence is more than likely. It is my view Clarke is an unacceptable risk of endangering the community. Bail is refused,’ she said, according to The Daily Telegraph. 

She refused their requests for bail adding jail time was ‘more than likely’ if they were found guilty.

Clarke, with a graze on his left cheek, left the courtroom in silence, while Nichols shouted at the magistrate as he was led from the dock.

Clarke has been charged with aggravated enter of a dwelling with intent and assault offences. 

Nichols has been charged with aggravated enter dwelling with intent, and common assault.

They are expected to reappear at Central Local Court on February 13.

The brawl, caught on CCTV and also filmed by bystanders, began when the trio walked up two flights of stairs and entered a home on Monday evening, a police prosecutor told the court 

The brawl, caught on CCTV and also filmed by bystanders, began when the trio walked up two flights of stairs and entered a home on Monday evening, a police prosecutor told the court 

 

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