A Ballina man has pleaded guilty to reckless wounding in company over a machete attack near Woolworths on Sunday night that left another man needing five hours of surgery.
Akeiam Dennis Cook, 25, appeared by video link from custody before Judge K Crittenden at Ballina Local Court on Thursday.
The court accepted Cook’s guilty plea to reckless wounding in company and also requested a sentencing assessment report from Lismore Community Corrections to assist when Cook is sentenced.
Five-hour surgery after Ballina machete attack
Emergency services were called to River Street near Woolworths at about 7.55pm on Sunday after a 22-year-old man was seriously wounded.
Police alleged Cook was the passenger on an e-bike who produced a machete, struck the man on the lower right leg and then fled with the rider.
A family member told The Coast Report the victim underwent five hours of surgery after suffering a wound about eight centimetres long and three centimetres deep, just below his knee.
The family member said a large blood clot had formed and doctors performed a fasciotomy to relieve pressure in his leg.
Cook and his aunt, co-accused Tahnee Lois Daley, 33, were arrested two days after the machete attack near Woolworths when police searched a home on Treelands Crescent.
Daley is also charged with reckless wounding in company. Her charge remains before the court and has not been determined.
She remains on bail and will appear at Ballina Local Court on September 3.
Cook remains in custody and will be sentenced at Ballina Local Court on October 16.
Read our original report on the Ballina machete attack and earlier knife threat.