Graham Hudgson, 34, faced  two charges of intentionally and recklessly causing serious injury on June 26 – three weeks after he was bailed for his part in the Finks’ raid on Ballarat nightclub Haida.

Ballarat Magistrates Court heard Hudgson attended a Wendouree property on June 26 and directed co-accused Sean Kennedy, 27, to hold the victim down so he could break his back. 

In opposing Hudgson’s bail, Detective Senior Constable Tony Euvrard said the Wendouree man posed a significant public safety risk if released, and could run into victims and witnesses in the city.

Defence lawyer James Westmore said Hudgson’s last bail attempt in June was three days before co-accused Kennedy admitted the crime to police on June 30. 

Kennedy pleaded guilty to the charge of intentionally causing serious injury on Thursday and was committed to stand trial at a County Court sitting in Ballarat on October 21. 

Crown prosecutor Raelene Maxwell said prosecutors did not accept Kennedy’s admission of guilt to police as it did not correlate with the victim’s statement. 

Mr Westmore said the case against Kennedy, who has been released on bail, was stronger than that against Hudgson, who has spent more than 100 days in police custody. 

He told the court his client, who police believe is a nominee for the Finks outlaw motorcycle club, had been offered casual employment at a local yabby farm if released.

Mr Westmore said if not released Hudgson, who will face a 10-day committal hearing in Melbourne on February 2 next year for the Haida raid, could spend a disproportionate amount of time in police custody.

Magistrate Cynthia Toose said Hodgson was on remand “without justification” as there was no evidence connecting the victim of the alleged hatchet attack to the Haida bar incident.