Jai Howard, 24, appeared in Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with serious assault-related offences, including recklessly causing serious injury.

The man is accused of hitting a 25-year-old male from Coomoora, near Daylesford, at Port Fairy's Vic Hotel on Saturday.

The court heard the victim was being escorted from the hotel about midnight when Mr Howard allegedly launched a punch to the victim's head, causing the victim to go to the ground.

Mr Howard was escorted outside, he walked away but then returned and "king hit" the victim to the side of the face, knocking him unconscious and causing his nose to bleed profusely.

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The victim fell to the ground and hit his head on the pavement.

An off-duty nurse, who came to the victim's aid, told police the victim was unresponsive for five minutes.

The victim suffered bleeding on the brain and a facial facture, and was flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a critical condition with head injuries after his condition had been stabilised.

He was said at that time to have suffered life-threatening injuries.

On Tuesday, police prosecutor Senior Constable Paul Harris said the victim was now "up and about" and that although he had suffered very serious injuries, he was expected to recover.

Magistrate Mark Stratmann said it was too early to decide whether the matter should be heard in the Magistrates Court, which is the lowest court in Victoria, or the County Court, which has jurisdiction to hear all indictable offences except for treason and murder.

Mr Stratmann said it would depend on the victim's condition in the coming weeks.

"This needs to be followed quite carefully," he said.

He adjourned the matter for four weeks and ordered an updated condition report be made in the near future.

Mr Howard was clearly distressed during the court proceeding.

Lawyer Matthew Piknin said Mr Howard had strong family support and that if not released on bail there was a high risk of the man spending time in custody that he wouldn't receive on sentence.

Mr Howard was bailed with conditions, including he not drink alcohol, abide by a 9pm to 5am curfew and not attend any licensed premises.

He will appear in court again on July 12.

The man spent three nights in the police station cells following his arrest.

-The Standard

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