A prominent West Australian political strategist and mining executive is fighting for his life in a Perth hospital, one week after an alleged one-punch assault in the inner-city suburb of Northbridge.
Victim in Induced Coma with Serious Head Injuries
Tim Picton, the 36-year-old former secretary of the WA Labor Party and a current executive at Mineral Resources, remains in a critical but stable condition at Royal Perth Hospital (RPH). He has been placed in an induced coma since the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, December 27.
Medical staff reported on Friday, January 2, that his condition was unchanged, with his family maintaining a vigil at his bedside. The Perth father suffered multiple brain bleeds and a fractured skull after allegedly being struck and falling, hitting his head on the pavement around 5:30 am. The full extent of any potential brain damage is not yet known.
Alleged Attacker Faces Court, Claims Self-Defence
Brodie Jake Dewar, a 20-year-old man, has been charged with grievous bodily harm in connection with the attack. He appeared in court and was granted strict bail, with the matter scheduled to return to court in February.
During the bail hearing, prosecutors indicated that Mr Picton is likely to sustain a "lifelong disability" as a result of the injuries. In contrast, Mr Dewar's defence lawyer claimed his client acted in a moment of perceived threat, stating that "the victim was harassing his cousin" and that Mr Dewar "thought he was going to be hit and he's reacted." Police have confirmed the two men were not known to each other and have seized security camera footage as part of their investigation.
A Stark Reminder of Violence's Consequences
The case has sent shockwaves through Perth's political and business communities. Mr Picton is a well-respected figure who spearheaded the McGowan Government's landslide re-election campaign in 2021. He is also the brother of South Australian Health Minister, Chris Picton.
Assistant Police Commissioner Martin Haime addressed the incident, stating it serves as a "stark reminder that split-second acts of violence can have devastating, life-changing consequences." The case highlights the ongoing concern over one-punch attacks in Australian nightlife districts and their potentially fatal outcomes.
