TWO Mormons on the Gold Coast for a church camp stand accused of a shocking attack that left a passing stranger in a coma.

Amanaki Kaufusi, 21, and Onesi Taufui, 18, yesterday faced Southport Magistrates Court charged with grievous bodily harm over a violent attack on a tourist in Surfers Paradise.

Hundreds of Mormons have gathered on the Gold Coast for a Latter-day Saints conference at Tallebudgera.

But as their friends listened to the teachings of church leaders, Kaufusi and Taufui, both from western Sydney, headed to the bright lights of Sin City for a night on the town.

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The court was told the pair were walking along Cavill Avenue in the early hours of Sunday morning when an intoxicated Kaufusi allegedly yelled: "I just want to hit someone. I will hit the next person I see."

Witnesses reported Kaufusi "showing an intent to fight others for no reason" and told him he was drunk.

Kaufusi allegedly responded in Tongan: "You want to see drunk, this is drunk."

Police said he king-hit 24-year-old tourist Onyekachi Okoye, who collapsed unconscious to the footpath.

Both men then allegedly stomped on the victim's head before laughing and walking off. When their Mormon friends pleaded with them to turn themselves in after Mr Okoye was rushed to hospital, the duo allegedly tried to flee Surfers Paradise in a taxi to return to the Tallebudgera camp.

Mr Okoye, from Glendale near Newcastle, later woke from a coma and has been transferred out of intensive care at the Gold Coast University Hospital.

He suffered a broken jaw but no brain damage.

Magistrate Brian Kilmartin refused bail due to the seriousness of the allegations. They will face court again on February 26.

Outside court, duty lawyer Mal Chalmers said his clients were in "a state of shock". "(Kaufusi) couldn't remember anything about the event," he said.

Latter-day Saints State President Asa Smibert said the men were not pre-registered at the camp and may have been visiting friends.

"Violence of any sort in the community is a tragedy and our thoughts and prayers go out to the individuals involved."

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MAN BOOKED FOR DRIVING 1 KM/H OVER THE LIMIT

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A TOWNSVILLE man has copped a $146 fine for driving 1km/h over the speed limit.

Jake Cassidy, 21, was pulled over on December 23 and accused of clocking 61km/h in a 60km/h zone.

Mr Cassidy was driving a company car on a delivery and is not convinced he was 1km/h over.

The police officer did not use a speed gun to catch Mr Cassidy but measured the speed by driving behind him. Read more...

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Blogger Rich Wisken had paid the extra $25 for an emergency exit row seat on his Jetstar flight from Perth to Sydney, but instead of enjoying the extra leg room he was pinned to his seat by his fellow passenger. Read more...



FATHER OF 'BOMB SUSPECT' SHOT DEAD WANTS OBAMA'S HELP

media_camera US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama arrive to board air force One in April, 2013 to mourn the victims of the deadly Boston marathon attacks. Picture: AFP

THE father of a man shot to death by authorities in Florida while being questioned during the Boston Marathon bombing investigation has written President Barack Obama asking for help finding out what happened.

Abdulbaki Todashev says in his letter that son Ibragim Todashev, 27, knew dead marathon suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev through boxing but had no connection to the bombing or any other crime.

He says his son voluntarily went to an FBI office in Orlando to speak with FBI agents four times before they showed up at his apartment May 22.

Attorney Barry Cohen said Monday the elder Todashev fears a cover-up and is writing to Obama one father to another to make sure that doesn't happen. Read more...