A Tasmanian man has avoided jail after shoving another man through a glass window during a late-night confrontation, leaving the victim with life-changing injuries.
Seth Tatnell, 26, was sentenced in the Supreme Court of Tasmania after pleading guilty to assault over the July 2024 incident.
The court heard Tatnell had been drinking at a nightclub with his then-partner when he believed she had been abused by another patron.
He followed the 26-year-old man outside and confronted him in a nearby laneway, demanding an apology.
When the victim refused, Tatnell punched him in the face and then pushed him in the chest.
Justice Robert Pearce said the push caused the man to fall backwards through a large glass window.
“The window shattered, he fell through it and suffered deep cuts to both hands,” he said.
The victim’s left palm was deeply lacerated and required surgery.
As a result of his injuries, he was unable to continue working as a sawmill operator and eventually lost his job.
His relationship also ended under the strain of his recovery.
The court heard he still has reduced movement in his hand and may require further surgery.
Justice Pearce said Tatnell did not intend to cause serious injury, but the outcome was foreseeable.
“You were affected by alcohol but that does not lessen your responsibility,” he said.
“Indeed, late night assaults committed in public in or around licensed premises should be condemned and punished.”
“Such assaults risk terrible consequences even if they are not intended.”
Tatnell was placed on an 18-month community corrections order with 105 hours of community service and fined $2,000.
