A homeless man who punched a Hobart restaurant worker so hard that the victim lost four teeth says he has spent every night since praying for forgiveness.
Anthony Clifford, 43, was part of a group of five people walking through the Elizabeth Street Mall late at night on May 30 last year.
The group was pushing over outdoor furniture and plants and throwing various items, some of which belonged to the restaurant of the worker who confronted them.
When the worker asked the group to pick up the items, a woman stood in front of him and hurled abuse.
She struck the worker in the face and as he attempted to retaliate, he fell to the ground.
The rest of the group then surrounded the worker, at which point Clifford punched him in the face twice.
The blows caused the victim to lose three front teeth and suffer an abrasion to his upper lip.
A fourth tooth had to be removed and surgery undertaken to place four dental implants.
Upon his arrest, police discovered a kitchen knife and a box cutter blade on Clifford, who claimed he was acting to protect the woman, an explanation Acting Supreme Court Justice David Porter described as “misguided”.
In a victim impact statement, the worker revealed he no longer wishes to live or work in Tasmania and has discussed relocating interstate with his partner.
“He has been struggling with his mental health and he is scared to go out in public. He has lost confidence due to the ongoing issues with his front teeth,” Justice Porter noted.
The court heard that Clifford has a history of offending, including previous assaults, assaulting a police officer and firearm offences, though Justice Porter acknowledged his remorse for this attack.
“All violence of course is unacceptable,” Justice Porter said. “As I think you understand, you had no right to intervene when this man was already under attack for trying to restore order to their property which, in effect, had been vandalised.”
Clifford was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, having already spent approximately nine months in custody.
