A man who left an acquaintance with a traumatic brain injury after punching him outside a Glenorchy pub, then laughed about it, will serve 18 months’ home detention.
Aaron Leigh Moate, 40, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm over the attack at the Paddy Wagon Hotel on January 13, 2024.
The court heard Moate stood over the unconscious 51-year-old, then walked off smoking. He went back inside laughing and said, “I’ve just knocked [him] out cold.”
The victim was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital with skull fractures and bleeding on the brain.
In a police interview, Moate spoke about his relationship with the man and his drinking, but said “No comment” about the assault.
The court heard the two men had known each other for most of Moate’s life and had both been in relationships with the same woman.
Staff closed the venue around 11pm after an altercation and moved patrons outside.
Around the same time, the court heard, the two men were seen arguing.
Moate had provoked the man by bringing up time he had spent with the man’s ex-partner. Security told them both to leave.
Moate went outside first. When the man walked out the Main Road entrance, Moate punched him in the mouth, sending him backwards onto the concrete, where he hit his head.
Justice Stephen Estcourt said he had watched the CCTV footage more than once.
He found the attack was “unprovoked” and not relevantly connected to the earlier argument inside the hotel.
The judge said it “could easily have resulted in the death” of the victim.
“The attack on the complainant was a serious crime with serious consequences,” Estcourt said.
The court heard the victim could not drive or work for weeks. He still has headaches, shoulder pain and trouble controlling his emotions.
Estcourt described Moate’s criminal history as “relatively lengthy and poor”. It includes violent offences dating back to 2006.
Under the home detention order, Moate must wear an electronic monitor and stay at home unless a probation officer approves otherwise.
He must not drink alcohol and he must stay out of most licensed venues.
