Victim still plagued by head injuries

An Albany father who was kicked in the head outside Studio 146 nightclub last year, resulting in a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain, still suffers regular headaches and memory loss, a court was told last week.

The ongoing injuries suffered by father of two Matthew Skeet were detailed as his attacker Cody Lee Nathan Bennell admitted to causing grievous bodily harm in Perth District Court last Tuesday.

Bennell was appearing for a trial listing hearing but defence lawyer Gavin McLean advised the court his client would change his plea to guilty on the basis of an amended statement of material facts.

Bennell pleaded not guilty during an unsuccessful bail application in August and has been in custody in Albany Regional Prison since his arrest just days after the assault.

State prosecutor David Lima told the court Bennell had been at the nightclub and was intoxicated and had also taken MDMA and words were exchanged with Mr Skeet and his friend as they walked across Stirling Terrace to get a taxi at 3.20am on July 29.

“A physical confrontation developed between the two groups. The offender kicked the victim to the side of the head,” Mr Lima said.

“The force of the impact or blow caused the victim to fall to the ground, hitting the back of his head on the bitumen road.”

Mr Skeet was airlifted to the trauma unit at Royal Perth Hospital after suffering bleeding on the brain and a fractured skull from the blow and still suffered regular headaches and memory loss, the court heard. Mr McLean requested a pre-sentence report before Bennell is sentenced on April 18.