James Anthony Dean-Willcock's birthday ends in murder charge

A YOUNG builder out celebrating his 23rd birthday allegedly bashed an elderly man to death in a drunken race-hate crime.

James Anthony Dean-Willcocks, from Illawong, in New South Wales was yesterday charged with the murder of 67-year-old Magno Alvarado, The Daily Telegraph reports.

Residents of Elouera Rd, Cronulla, told police of being woken about 5.30am (AEDT) on Saturday to a male yelling: "F--k off back to Japan."

According to a statement tendered by police to Parramatta Bail Court a man was heard to cry: "Help, help." One witness said he went out to his balcony and allegedly saw a man "fling the victim on to the footpath, pick up the victim, shake him and throw him to the ground."

The accused then allegedly punched Mr Alvarado to the head and body up to 10 times.

Another witness told police he saw the victim thrown on to the road, with Mr Dean-Willcocks seen "on top of the victim punching him".

"He (Mr Dean-Willcocks) was heard to yell out 'ya Jap' and "Azza, Azza, Azza," police will allege.

Another described seeing Mr Alvarado tackled, "body slammed" and punched many times.

One witness told police he yelled at Mr Dean-Willcocks to stop, asking what he was doing.

"Mate, he is Japanese and he deserves it," the accused allegedly answered. It is understood Mr Alvarado was Filipino.

Stunned onlookers prevented Mr Dean-Willcocks leaving the scene until police arrived. Mr Alvarado was rushed to hospital but died at about 2.30pm on Saturday.

After his arrest - wearing no shoes, and only one sock - police noted Dean-Willcocks was intoxicated.

He has since told police he has "no recollection" of the incident and his last memory was "some time in the early hours of the morning" while he was at the Mercure Hotel in the Sydney CBD.

He does not know how he got to Cronulla

He made no application for bail and will reappear in Central Local Court tomorrow.