A young man who carried out a “prolonged, brutal and dangerous” assault during a violent robbery has walked free from court with a suspended sentence.
Talen Anthony Brown, 22, strangled his victim several times, punched him and stole charity tins full of cash during the attack in the Mowbray Hotel car park last year.
The Supreme Court of Tasmania heard Brown first approached the victim around midnight on October 17, asking for a lift home as the man sat in his car preparing to leave the hotel.
When refused, Brown walked away but returned minutes later. He tried to drag the stranger from the vehicle before climbing in through the passenger door and stealing his wallet.
He left again, only to come back and launch a sustained assault while the victim stood beside his car.
“You then perpetrated a protracted assault on him, which included punching him repeatedly to the head and body while he was on the ground, using your forearm to strangle him on three separate occasions and repeatedly pushing and hitting him,” Justice Michael Brett said.
“One of the acts of strangulation caused him to lose consciousness for a short time.”
After the victim managed to escape and call for help, Brown kicked the car’s panels and stole charity collection tins containing $240 along with a pair of sunglasses.
The victim was taken to hospital with multiple cuts, abrasions and a swollen tongue. He continues to suffer ongoing pain, headaches and depression.
“It is well-established that strangulation can easily and quickly cause serious injury or death. It can have prolonged consequences which may not manifest immediately,” Justice Brett noted.
“Random drunken violence such as this is prevalent, is of concern to the community and will not be tolerated by the courts.”
Brown received an 18-month suspended sentence after pleading guilty to aggravated robbery, with the court noting his age, minimal criminal history and remorse.
He must complete drug and alcohol treatment programs, attend aggression management courses and will be under probation supervision for 18 months.
