A man accused of throwing an unwell 74-year-old off a balcony was allegedly frustrated at not having a cigarette, a court has heard.
Raymond John Binge has been behind bars on a murder charge since the death of the elderly man at Brisbane’s Yeronga suburb on October 1.
Police alleged at the time the man, named by media as Michael Thomas Chesworth, was picked up and thrown head-first off the balcony after a disagreement.
He died in hospital after falling 3.5 metres onto concrete.
Binge, 49, was refused bail in a Brisbane court on Thursday.
DPP prosecutor Emily McGregor said in a contested bail application the murder charge relates to Binge allegedly throwing the unwell man over a balcony.
“The motivation appears to be frustration at not having a cigarette combined with the applicant’s own intoxication,” Ms McGregor added.
It is alleged Binge was drinking with other people before going to the nearby unit, the court heard.
Defence counsel Joshua Jones asked that Binge be released on onerous conditions that included him residing with his mother and not consuming alcohol.
Brisbane Supreme Court Justice Paul Freeburn refused Binge’s application, remanding him in custody.
“The court cannot be confident Mr Binge would comply with any bail conditions that might be imposed,” he said.
