A young Tasmanian man has been jailed for breaking another man’s jaw just two days after being handed a community order for a separate assault.
Kynan James Lowrey-Sherriff, 24, was last month sentenced to nine months’ jail in the Supreme Court of Tasmania after pleading guilty to assault.
The court heard he had appeared in the Magistrates Court two days before the attack, where he was convicted of common assault and destroying property and given a 12-month community correction order.
Justice Tamara Jago said that experience had “little impact” on him, with Lowrey-Sherriff committing another “serious act of violence” within days.
The court heard Lowrey-Sherriff walked to the 36-year-old victim’s home on November 7, 2025, after hearing the man had been spending time with a young relative of his.
When the man opened the door, Lowrey-Sherriff punched him once in the face, breaking his jaw in two places.
The victim needed surgery at the Royal Hobart Hospital, where plates and screws were fitted.
He was left with scarring, ongoing pain and spent months on a soft-food diet.
Lowrey-Sherriff later told police he wanted to “teach him a lesson” and admitted he had considered using a beer bottle before deciding to punch him.
The victim was never charged over the allegations that prompted the attack.
Justice Jago said the violence was “not spontaneous” and Lowrey-Sherriff had time to reflect on what he planned to do.
She said any concerns should instead have been raised with authorities.
“Behaviour of this nature must be denounced by the courts,” the judge said.
“People cannot take the law into their own hands and expect impunity.”
Lowrey-Sherriff had prior convictions, including a 2023 assault.
He has since been convicted of four more common assaults and a property offence relating to family violence in August 2025.
He was found unsuitable for another community order because of poor past compliance and an “apparent inability” to self-regulate.
“Given your still relatively young age, some level of support is appropriate,” Jago said.
“I will therefore allow for parole at the earliest opportunity in the hope that may provide a level of assistance as you return to the community.”
Lowrey-Sherriff will be eligible for parole after serving half of his nine-month sentence.
