A VULNERABLE man with an intellectual disability was bashed and robbed after being lured into a darkened Hamilton sports oval, a Warrnambool court has heard.
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Two men appeared in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court yesterday for a bail application over charges relating to assault and robbery.
Police allege that Lachlan Dale, 23, and Jacob Rumble, 21, along with two co-accused, approached the victim outside the library in Hamilton about 5.30pm on Friday.
Detective Senior Constable Roger McClure told the court the victim knew one of the accused, having previously stayed at his home.
He said the group went to Target where the offenders offered to buy clothes for the victim, however he had refused.
They then went to a bottle shop where they bought a bottle of port. The victim refused to purchase alcohol.
The court heard all five walked towards a Hamilton caravan park through a series of alleyways and back streets before entering the sports oval through a rear entrance where it was “unlit and dark”.
“The victim has been tackled to the ground by one of the offenders, he was beaten up and punched in the head,” Detective Senior Constable McClure said.
“One of the accused has held him down with his knee while the other has punched him in the face.” The offenders allegedly stole a debit card and $100 in cash.
A debit card PIN was demanded, but the victim gave a false number.
The court heard the victim suffered a fractured nose, severe bruises and swelling to the point where he could not open his eyes.
“There was a substantial amount of blood at the crime scene,” Detective Senior Constable McClure said.
Once the alleged offenders fled, the victim stumbled towards the stadium building where he was spotted by an employee who called paramedics.
The two other co-accused who did not appear in court yesterday told police they were several hundred metres away when the offence took place and could only hear noises.
A police search of two cabins at a nearby caravan park uncovered bloody clothing and shoes allegedly belonging to both Mr Dale and Mr Rumble.
“Mr Dale had a tiny nick on his knuckle,” Detective Senior Constable McClure said.
He said the victim, who was diagnosed with a mental disorder 20 years ago was “quiet” and well-known in the community.
Magistrate Ron Saines denied bail for Lachlan Dale who was also in breach of a suspended sentence.
Alleged co-offender Jacob Rumble was given bail on strict conditions that he report daily to the Hamilton police station and that he not leave the state.
The matter was adjourned until June 23.