Margaret River man Gary Roy Fougere accused of stabbing neighbour granted bail, allowed to care for father

A 20-year-old Margaret River man accused of stabbing his neighbour has been granted bail provided he does not engage in contact with the alleged victim while looking after his father. Gary Roy Fougere appeared in Bunbury Magistrates Court via video link from Bunbury Regional Prison on Thursday, April 21 charged with aggravated grievous bodily harm. While the case was adjourned for two weeks for Mr Fougere to obtain legal advice, a bail application was made on his behalf for him to reside with his grandparents in Osmington. However, Mr Fougere’s defence counsel Paul Chapman informed the court Mr Fougere’s father had several medical treatment needs that the grandparents were no longer able to assist with, meaning Mr Fougere would become his father’s primary carer. Police initially opposed the application out of concern that the alleged victim, a 60-year-old man, lived next door to Mr Fougere’s father. The court was told the alleged incident was a “neighbourly dispute that got out of hand”, according to police prosecutors. The alleged ongoing dispute was also compounded by the alleged victim being subject to a violence restraining order that protects Mr Fougere’s father. Magistrate Joanne Andretich granted Mr Fougere bail, consisting of a $5000 personal undertaking and a $5000 surety, as well as protective conditions for the alleged victim. Mr Fougere was also advised that he could only attend his father’s residence for the purpose of taking care of his father and must not engage with the alleged victim. Mr Fougere is next due to appear on May 5.