Multiple charges: Steven John Lee, 35, denied bail over violent home invasion in Wonthella, Geraldton

A man accused of breaking into a Wonthella home and attacking three men — one of whom had to undergo emergency surgery for bleeding of the brain — has had his bail refused. Police allege Steven John Lee and four other men, who have yet to be identified, kicked in a garage door and stormed the Eighth Street property about 8.20am on April 24. The victim was allegedly hit on the head with an unknown object, causing an open skull fracture, and had to be flown to a Perth hospital by the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Mr Lee, 35, fronted Geraldton Magistrate’s Court on Monday charged with causing grievous bodily harm in the course of an aggravated home burglary, animal cruelty, two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm and two of stealing. It is alleged the home invasion followed an argument 10 minutes earlier between Mr Lee and the occupants, from whom he allegedly bought cannabis on previous occasions. Another occupant suffered a suspected broken collarbone and required stitches to his lip after he was allegedly repeatedly struck with a metal pole. The court heard he had been trying to defend his father, the third victim, who was allegedly being kicked and punched on the floor. A pet dog was also allegedly struck on the head, causing a 4cm laceration, and two mobile phones and $450 cash stolen during the incident. Mr Lee has yet to enter pleas, though police prosecutor Senior Constable Beau Jones said he had been identified by several witnesses and on CCTV footage from a neighbour’s house. “Mr Lee is on a conditional suspended imprisonment order… the offences he’s on it for include a number of threats and being armed, and one of those is where he’s actually attended an associate’s house with a replica firearm,” Sen. Const. Jones said. “We have serious concerns, given his previous actions, that if Mr Lee is released on bail he would pose a significant threat to the victims. “Given he’s now indicated he knows them and knows where they live, there’s no conditions that could be put in place to protect the victims.” Magistrate Chris Miocevich agreed, adding that he could not be satisfied Mr Lee would not “interfere” with witnesses if granted bail. “Although there is the presumption of innocence, there is a relatively strong case against you,” Mr Miocevich said. Mr Lee was remanded in custody at Greenough Regional Prison to reappear by video link on September 3.