Hillarys Beach Club: Man fighting for life after alleged punch attack outside venue, Quinns Rocks man charged

A Quinns Rocks man charged with grievous bodily harm after an alleged one-punch attack on Melbourne Cup Day that has left another man fighting for his life has fronted court. Matthew Anthony Jennings, 41, appeared from custody at Joondalup Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning. Magistrate Raelene Johnston asked if Mr Jennings understood the charge, to which he said “yes”. Police said the 43-year-old victim was waiting for a rideshare vehicle on John Wilkie Tarn, outside the Hillarys Beach Club, before Mr Jennings approached him around 4pm on Tuesday. “It is alleged the accused man was acting in an intimidating manner before becoming involved in a physical altercation with the victim,” a police spokeswoman said. “During the altercation, the accused allegedly punched the victim to the face causing him to lose consciousness and fall backwards, striking his head on the road.” Security staff at the nearby venue rushed to the scene before they detained the accused one-punch attacker. The 43-year-old victim was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital by ambulance with serious head and facial injuries. He was in a critical condition in the intensive care unit on Wednesday morning, a hospital spokesman confirmed. Mr Jennings will face court again on November 22 for a bail application.