Trio granted bail for alleged assault in violent robbery that left victim with serious injuries

Three Albany men have been granted bail after the alleged assault of a man in Centennial Park in the early hours of Sunday that left the victim with serious injuries. William Patrick O’Connell, 21, Zachery Elvin Rowe, 25, and Java Joshua Rakuraku, 19, appeared in custody in Albany Magistrates Court on Monday. Police will allege the trio left Eve Late Night Bar and came across the victim a short distance from the entrance. The men allegedly found the victim resting on the ground, having had too much to drink, and offered to walk him home. Police say that while walking with the trio, the man became suspicious and claimed he didn’t know where he lived. The trio then allegedly steered the victim into an alley in Centennial Park around five minutes from the club, before allegedly assaulting him and stealing his possessions, including personal belongings and a wallet containing cash and credit cards. Police say the man was flown to Royal Perth Hospital with severe injuries, including to his right eye. The trio were granted bail on strict conditions including a nightly curfew, not to consume alcohol or enter licensed premises, not to contact each other, and not to contact the victim. Police prosecutor Sgt Warrick Walker said Mr Rakuraku’s recent move to Albany from Melbourne made him a flight risk. Magistrate Erin O’Donnell disagreed, pointing to his employment and family in the area, but ordered him not to leave the State as part of his bail conditions. The prosecution said Mr O’Connell was the principal offender and requested that he have a higher surety than the other two alleged co-offenders. Mr O’Connell was released on bail on a $2000 surety and $2000 personal undertaking, Mr Rakuraku on a $2000 surety and a $500 personal undertaking, and Mr Rowe on a $2000 surety and a $1000 personal undertaking.