4 days ago
Banora Point man may lose sight in one eye after acid attack, court told
A court has heard a 59-year-old man remains in an induced coma and could lose his sight in one eye after his son allegedly attacked him with acid in northern NSW.
Randall Perrin Laurie, 35, made a brief appearance in the Tweed Heads Local Court on Friday accused of causing grievous bodily harm with a corrosive fluid.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in jail.
Emergency service crews were called to a unit on Darlington Drive, Banora Point, about 9.15am on Thursday after receiving reports of a domestic violence-related incident.
Police will allege a 59-year-old man was found at the scene suffering serious injuries caused by acid.
He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being flown to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a serious condition.
The 35-year-old man was arrested on Minjungbal Drive at Tweed Heads less than an hour later.
Police applied to the court to seek DNA evidence from Mr Laurie as part of their investigation.
In the Forensic Order Application tendered to the court, police allege the Mr Laurie bought a one-litre bottle of hydrochloric acid from a nearby hardware store about 8.50am on the day of the alleged attack.
The 35-year-old is alleged to have asked a staff member, "does this burn you?" before saying someone had "poisoned his family" and he was going to "throw it on them".
Police allege the man threw acid over his father's face and chest while shouting "get outside, I want to fight you, you dog".
The older man has been placed in an induced coma, and doctors indicated he would lose all sight in his left eye.
On Friday, defence lawyer Simon Enderwick told the court he had concerns about the accused man's ability to provide instructions to him, citing mental health concerns.
The 35-year-old interjected throughout the proceedings, saying, "I don't want to go see a mental health or doctor please, if that's OK with you chief, lawyer".
Bail was not applied for and formally refused.
The matter is due to return to court on August 15.
