Man accused of violently assaulting Labor figure Tim Picton returns to court to face more assault charges

A man accused of attacking Labor figure Tim Picton outside a Perth Nightclub – leaving him in a coma – has returned to court to face charges over a separate serious assault days earlier. Brodie Jake Dewar, 20, is accused of striking Mr Picton in the head outside a Perth nightclub about 5.30am on December 27 last year. Police allege Mr Picton hit his head on the pavement as a result of the strike, which has left him hospitalised in a coma since the attack. Mr Dewar is now facing a fresh charge of an act causing bodily harm or danger. On Friday, he appeared in the Armadale Magistrates Court to face charges related to another alleged attack that occurred in Kalamunda, in the Perth Hills, on Christmas Day. Police allege Mr Dewar struck a 40-year-old man to the head, causing him to fall backwards and hit his head on a pavement. Mr Picton is a prominent member of WA’s political and mining communities and is credited as one of the strategists behind the landslide victory of the state’s former premier Mark McGowan in 2021. He has since been working as director of strategy for mining giant MinRes and is the brother of South Australian Health Minister, Chris Picton. A statement released by his family said Mr Picton was a much loved father, husband, brother and son, as well as a friend to so many across Australia.