Landscaper accused of stabbing man in buttocks over 'manhandling' of woman

A night out drinking with new acquaintances allegedly turned violent when one of them was pushed over and repeatedly stabbed in the buttocks because he had apparently “manhandled” a woman.

Mathew John Longmore was at a bar in Tuggeranong with two mates on 9 January 2023 when they were approached by the complainant and the woman, the ACT Magistrates Court heard.

The complainant told Longmore he didn’t like him, because he had allegedly stolen one of his friend’s cars years ago, but they still decided to spend the evening drinking together.

After they left the bar at around 10 pm, one of Longmore’s friends asked the woman if she wanted to get into their car, so she did. However the complainant allegedly pulled her out, held her and told her: “You’re not getting in the car with them”.

It is alleged Longmore’s friend punched the complainant in the face and told him “you just f-king manhandled a f-king woman bro”, and pushed him to the ground.

While he was lying down, it is alleged Longmore stabbed him in the buttocks up to four times with a sharp implement, believed to be scissors. The friends then fled.

The complainant says he felt pain in his buttocks and was left with three puncture wounds.

Longmore and his friend were both arrested on Wednesday (8 March) before appearing in the ACT Magistrates Court the next day where the former applied for bail, which was opposed by the prosecution.

His lawyer, Daniel Turner from the Aboriginal Legal Service, said the landscaper had been on parole since last June so “the stakes are very high” for him at the moment.

He argued the allegation that the woman had been assaulted on the night seemed to be the cause of his client’s alleged intervention in the incident.

Prosecutor Julia McLean argued Longmore appeared to keep spending time with antisocial peers and the complainant said he was afraid of him.

Magistrate Ian Temby noted the claim that the incident had allegedly been provoked by a situation Longmore had thought unjust, due to the complainant’s alleged treatment of the woman.

He also noted Longmore’s “very long criminal record”, although he did say there were few charges of violence on it.

The magistrate ultimately said there were not enough reasons to deny bail and granted it with conditions including the 28-year-old live in Gordon and not contact the complainant or the woman.

The matter was adjourned to 18 May. Longmore pleaded not guilty to his charge of intentionally wounding.

His friend also appeared in court that day charged over his alleged role and was granted bail.