Two men charged over a violent road-rage attack

Two men accused of beating a tradesman to within an inch of his life in a horrifying road rage attack left court today in sunglasses and sandals after being granted bail.

Ryan Hallifax, Jordan Baklas and Jonathan Lawrence allegedly bashed Brock Prime with a concrete scraper and left him for dead on the side of M1 motorway on the night of February 24.

Mr Prime, 29, remains in a coma with a suspected fractured skull and broken leg.

Hallifax and Baklas were today granted bail at Beenleigh Magistrates Court while Lawrence did not apply. 

Jordan Baklas

Ryan Hallifax (left) and Jordan Baklas (right) were today granted bail at Beenleigh Magistrates Court while Jonathan Lawrence did not apply

Brock Prime, 29, (pictured) is said to have been attacked by a group of people who were travelling in a white van at Yatala about 9.30pm on Saturday 24 February 

Brock Prime, 29, (pictured) is said to have been attacked by a group of people who were travelling in a white van at Yatala about 9.30pm on Saturday 24 February 

In opposing the bail, police prosecutor sergeant Ellen French argued the pair had displayed an inability to maintain self-control and ‘had chosen to take matters into their own hands’.

But she also said the 29-year-old victim had produced the weapon, believed to be a concrete scraper, that was eventually taken from him and used in the attack.

Last week, the court heard Mr Prime may die from his injuries, with the prosecution warning that the charges could be upgraded once more is known of his condition.

But in a combined hearing, lawyers for Ryan Hallifax and Jordan Baklas argued the evidence and witness statements indicated their clients had played a limited role in the assault, with no proof they had ever held the weapon.

Representing Baklas, a 27-year-old cabinet maker, Jon Ide said he would contest the charge of grievous bodily harm.

Jonathan Lawrence, 26, is accused of being part of a group that bashed Brock Prime and last year called for tougher sentences on violent offenders after the murder of his daughter

Jonathan Lawrence, 26, is accused of being part of a group that bashed Brock Prime and last year called for tougher sentences on violent offenders after the murder of his daughter

Jordan Baklas, 27 (pictured), was granted bail today after being charged with grievous bodily harm

Jordan Baklas, 27 (pictured), was granted bail today after being charged with grievous bodily harm

‘It’s good for him that he’s been granted bail but it’s only the first step,’ Mr Ide said outside court.

‘Of course they are (remorseful); they’re very upset at what’s happened and they’ve found themselves in this situation.’

Truck driver Hallifax, who spent seven years in the army, will return to live with his mother after recently hearing his father had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

His lawyer, David Gilmore, argued Hallifax had played the ‘least role of anyone involved’ and it was clear the complainant started the violence and his client also never held the weapon.

‘He might have punched the complainant once at most,’ Mr Gilmore said in court.

Mr Gilmore also said a covert police officer had heard Hallifax’s side of the story while undercover and that it correlated with other separate reports.

Mr Prime (right) suffered a skull fracture and a broken leg in the assault and has been placed in a medically-induced coma 

Mr Prime (right) suffered a skull fracture and a broken leg in the assault and has been placed in a medically-induced coma 

Mr Prime (left) had recently survived a stabbing, and his father Darren died six weeks ago

Mr Prime (right) had recently survived a stabbing, and his father Darren died six weeks ago

Mr Prime (pictured) had recently survived a stabbing, and his father Darren died six weeks ago

Police say the incident began when a van, carrying up to 13 people, and Mr Prime's black Subaru Forester came close to colliding on the M1 around Coomera 

Police say the incident began when a van, carrying up to 13 people, and Mr Prime’s black Subaru Forester came close to colliding on the M1 around Coomera 

A 'cat and mouse game' then began, with the two vehicles ducking and weaving through traffic in wet conditions on the motorway before they both finally pulled over 

A ‘cat and mouse game’ then began, with the two vehicles ducking and weaving through traffic in wet conditions on the motorway before they both finally pulled over 

The duo’s bail conditions include an alcohol ban, curfew, tri-weekly reports to the police station and an order to cease contact with an extensive list of people implicated in the incident.

The pair will reappear along with Jonathan Lawrence, 26, on May 2.

Detective Inspector Mark Thompson said the incident began when the van and Mr Prime’s black Subaru Forester came close to colliding on the M1 around Coomera.

A ‘cat and mouse game’ then began, with the two vehicles ducking and weaving through traffic in wet conditions on the motorway before they both finally pulled over.  

Five centimetres of Brock's skull (right) was crushed into his brain with dirt and concrete

Five centimetres of Brock’s skull (right) was crushed into his brain with dirt and concrete

 

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