Gold Coast pub assault victim in coma as accused refused bail

A 35-year-old man from Sydney has been granted bail after being charged with carrying a fake gun and wearing a replica police vest during a public incident at Moore Park. The court was informed that the man, Jacopo Mastrocinque, was attending a costume party at a bowling alley in the Entertainment Quarter when he was apprehended by police. Mastrocinque, a pizza shop owner, was arrested on Monday while walking near Moore Park. At the time, he was wearing a fake gun, handcuffs and a costume resembling a police vest. His legal aid lawyer claimed he was participating in a dress-up event themed “heroes and villains” at the bowling alley for three hours before stepping outside for a cigarette when he was detained. According to the lawyer, Mastrocinque had been in costume for three hours and was not aware of the potential alarm his appearance might cause. During the hearing at the Local Court, the police prosecutor described the situation as causing “significant fear” in the community and prompting a “substantial police response.” When Judge Daniel Covington questioned whether there was evidence supporting the claim of a costume party, the prosecutor admitted she was initially unaware of such an event but offered to investigate further. She suggested conducting an online search to verify the existence of the party. Judge Covington instructed the police prosecutor to consult with the officer in charge and requested corroboration from the bowling alley’s management. After further communication, the prosecutor revealed that Mastrocinque had told the officer he was partaking in a “heroes and villains” themed costume party and had stated he was “dressed as a hero.” Despite this, the judge noted that police had not yet spoken to anyone at the venue to confirm the account. A follow-up call led to the dispatch of a police unit to the bowling alley for verification. An hour later, the prosecutor confirmed that police had spoken to a manager at the venue and found evidence of the costume party. They also reviewed CCTV footage, which showed individuals in various costumes, including superheroes, Pikachu and someone wearing a Scream mask. With this new information, Judge Covington determined that cause had been shown to grant bail. However, the police prosecutor argued that Mastrocinque still posed an “unacceptable risk” to society due to the nature of the incident. She emphasized that the public had become fearful and called the situation “objectively serious,” noting that the individual appeared to be carrying a real-looking handgun and wore a police-style ballistic vest. Mastrocinque’s legal team, however, countered that the man had made a “foolish decision” but posed no threat to the community. His new private lawyer, Wali Shukoor, highlighted that Mastrocinque had no criminal record, was in a long-term de facto relationship and had lived in Australia for 12 years. He stressed that the incident was a result of a personal choice rather than any intent to harm others. The case continues under review, with ongoing discussions regarding the appropriate measures to ensure public safety while respecting the rights of the accused. As the legal proceedings unfold, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of balancing individual expression with community security.