A MAN accused of killing his workmate after a minor prang at a Sandgate transport company will face a two-week trial under the state’s new “one-punch” laws in April next year.
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Geoffrey Micheal Strong, 45, appeared in Newcastle District Court on Thursday where he was arraigned on charges of manslaughter and assault causing death.
He pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Mr Strong is accused of punching co-worker Glen Allan Canning four times after the men had argued over a minor collision between the forklift Mr Canning was driving and Mr Strong’s primemover in the rear yard of Crawfords Freightlines on August 4.
Mr Canning, 45, of Beresfield, had been working at the Sandgate transport business for just a few months.
He was loading a semitrailer at 2.45pm when Mr Strong, of Warabrook, drove his truck between Mr Canning's forklift and the semitrailer.
Police say the forklift reversed into the rear of Mr Strong's truck.
The two men argued.
Police say Mr Strong grabbed Mr Canning by the front of his jumper and allegedly punched him four times to the left side of his head and jaw.
Mr Strong was walking away when he heard yelling and moved out of the way as the forklift moved towards him.
Mr Canning was unconscious, but still sitting in the forklift.
His colleagues tried to help him, by giving him CPR.
He was taken to John Hunter Hospital and pronounced dead on arrival.
Mr Strong was arrested and taken into police custody.
He was charged with assault causing death, a charge added to the Crimes Act in 2014 in the wake of a spate of alcohol-related “one punch” deaths.
The offence, which also features an aggravated version for when the offender is intoxicated or under the influence of illicit drugs, carries a maximum of 20 years in jail.
Mr Canning’s partner, who also worked at Crawfords Freightlines, later told police she had never heard Mr Canning mention Mr Strong and she thought the two didn’t know each other.
A witness told police he saw the two men argue for less than a minute before Mr Strong punched Mr Canning “six to eight times to the head”.
“Glen didn’t even put up his arms as it was real quick,” the witness said.
“As soon as that happened I saw Glen’s head slump forward as he was seated in the forklift.”
Crawfords Freightlines compliance officer Paul McGrath told police Mr Strong had been involved in at least one other altercation with a workmate at the company.
Mr Strong, who remains on bail, will face a trial in Newcastle District Court on April 3, 2017.
The trial is estimated to run as long as 10 days.
