Man has part of skull removed after alleged random attack in Sydney CBD

A “gentle, family-orientated” man is preparing for his third surgery after allegedly being kicked in the head in a dispute over an iPhone during a night out in the CBD, causing him to lose consciousness twice.

Police found 20-year-old Sydney man Francis Wilson bleeding from the mouth and crouched in a foetal position on George Street in the early hours of September 21, court documents allege.

Francis Wilson in hospital following surgery on his skull.

French national Ismail Belhout has been charged over the incident, which occurred shortly after the 20-year-old Uber driver had moved to Australia.

Police allege the events were captured on CCTV.

According to the police statement of facts, Belhout was walking with two other people past World Square about 2:30am when he began holding up his phone towards Wilson – whom he did not know – seemingly taking photos or videos.

The documents allege that Wilson, a Fijian national and labourer, walked towards Belhout and grabbed his phone. A scuffle ensued as Belhout tried to retrieve the device.

Belhout is accused of wrapping his arm around Wilson’s neck and pulling him to the ground. Multiple people joined the brawl, with Wilson tripping over and falling backwards.

While Wilson was crouched on the ground and attempting to get up, Belhout allegedly kicked him in the head.

“The victim’s neck snapped back instantly, his head hitting the ground hard, causing it to bounce twice, instantly knocking him out for about 20 seconds,” the fact sheet alleges.

“The accused ran from the scene; at no time did he return.”

A court heard Francis Wilson was left critically injured following an attack in Sydney’s CBD in the early hours of September 21.

CCTV footage allegedly showed an unsteady Wilson being helped to a wooden bench before “stumbling” to the corner of George and Liverpool streets.

Witnesses found him unconscious and called police. He was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital in a critical condition.

Officers responding to reports of an unrelated incident found Belhout at a nearby KFC store on George Street. Upon a review of the CCTV footage, he was charged with reckless grievous bodily harm while in company and affray.

Belhout remained in custody until he was granted bail in the NSW Supreme Court in early December.

In applying for bail, defence lawyers said Belhout denies the offences and will argue self-defence. They said the issue at trial will be whether he “by his actions, caused the injuries to the victim”.

‘He’s got a big divot in his head where he actually has no skull. There’s nothing protecting his brain’

The Crown opposed bail, arguing the CCTV footage appeared to “clearly delineate” Belhout’s actions and that there was no suggestion of self-defence as Wilson was kicked after he had fallen over.

The court heard Belhout was a French citizen with a valid visa who could live with his brother in Ultimo and continue working as an Uber driver.

According to a letter of support from his brother – who offered a $5000 surety to secure bail – Belhout had moved to Australia in September, the same month of the alleged attack.

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The letter said Belhout had been “extremely stressed and frantic” while in custody as he did not speak English and “is still trying to understand what is going on”.

Belhout was granted bail with conditions including reporting daily to police, complying with a curfew and not going near international departure points.

Wilson’s sister-in-law, Keira Bale, told the Herald his road to recovery had been long and painful, and described how her family thought they would lose him.

He underwent brain surgery and had part of his skull removed, with a third surgery planned for next month.

“He’s got a big divot in his head at the moment where he actually has no skull, so there’s nothing protecting his brain,” she said.

Bale said Wilson had moved from hospital to a live-in rehabilitation centre, where he’s had to “pretty much relearn everything” including eating and drinking.

A fundraising page set up by Bale to support Wilson had raised more than $14,000.

Bale described Wilson as a “really gentle, family-orientated guy”.

“He’s got seven other siblings, and their mother passed away really quite young, so they’ve always had that really close family bond,” she said.

“He’s just a really beautiful guy.”

Belhout will next face the local court on February 17.

A co-accused man, also a French national, remains before the courts.

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