Vic: Hookes hit road like a plank, court told

AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-2005
Vic: Hookes hit road like a plank, court told

MELBOURNE, Aug 30 AAP - A witness in the trial of a bouncer charged with the manslaughter
of former Test cricketer David Hookes said today Hookes fell "like a plank" after he was
punched outside a Melbourne pub.

Anthony Perks told the Victorian Supreme Court that when he heard the "horrible sound"

of Mr Hookes' head striking the road, he was left in no doubt he was going to die.

Mr Perks was giving evidence in the trial of Zdravko Micevic, 23, who has pleaded not
guilty to manslaughter.

Micevic admits punching Mr Hookes, 48, the then Victorian cricket coach, but says he
acted in self-defence after Mr Hookes punched him twice.

As a result of the blow, Mr Hookes fell back, hitting his head on the road outside
the Beaconsfield Hotel in bayside St Kilda on January 18 last year and died in hospital
from head injuries the following day.

Mr Perks, a local resident at the time, said he saw the punch from his apartment balcony.

His attention had been drawn by the sound of a fracas in the street.

He told the court he saw a man part from a group of people, walking at an average pace,
but was followed by another man walking faster.

As the first person turned round, he was punched by the second man.

Mr Perks said the man who was punched did not try to break his fall and seemed to have
been instantly knocked out.

He hit the road hard, "like a plank", he said.

The trial before Justice Philip Cummins is continuing.

AAP sew/gfr/br

KEYWORD: MICEVIC DAYLEAD

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