A woman whose head was stomped on by teenagers while waiting for a bus in Glenorchy has told the Supreme Court the attack left her fearing for her life.
The 28-year-old was set upon outside the Club Hotel on July 31, 2024, by 18-year-old Aleena Sandra Hovington and an accomplice in an assault that was filmed and shared online.
“The complainant thought she might die when she was assaulted for no apparent reason,” Chief Justice Chris Shanahan said, describing it as a “particularly vicious” attack.
The violence began about 4:45pm when the group demanded the woman’s phone.
Hovington shoved her against a wall before a friend pulled the victim to the ground by her hair.
While she lay on the pavement, the accomplice kicked her in the head, causing it to “violently snap backwards”.
Hovington then tried to snatch the woman’s handbag, wrapping her arm around her neck and punching her in the back of the head.
The assault escalated when Hovington’s friend returned and stomped on the victim’s head.
The woman suffered concussion and bruising, but said the psychological impact was devastating.
“After the incident, I had to take a few months to recover. I still feel really stressed and uncomfortable when I walk on the street,” she said in her victim impact statement.
“Every time I see people who look like them, I get scared. I feel really unsafe and stressed about it.”
She said she now only feels secure at home. After finishing work at 3pm, she walks straight home instead of spending time in town.
“Since the incident, I don’t travel by bus or go to Glenorchy anymore,” she said.
The court heard the assault had also affected her employment prospects and her ability to secure permanent residency in Australia.
Adding to the humiliation, footage of the attack was posted on a Snapchat account called ‘Fights Tassie’.
Hovington was sentenced to 15 months’ behind bars, wholly suspended on the condition she commits no imprisonable offences for 12 months.
“You are still at a stage where hopefully your behaviour and attitude might be turned around,” Chief Justice Chris Shanahan said.
“Whilst actual detention may have a seriously corrupting and damaging effect on you given your age, there is a requirement for general and specific deterrence.”
