A Tasmanian man has spent two years grappling with the “drastic change to his appearance” after a violent attack at a Sandy Bay soiree left him needing surgery, a court has heard.
The then 24-year-old was left with severe injuries including two swollen black eyes, bruising, a broken nose and cheekbones and chipped teeth following a “verbal altercation” in the early hours of January 8, 2022.
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Estcourt described the attack, which occurred at an engagement party of mutual friends at the Royal Yacht Club in Sandy Bay, as “extremely serious”.
The court heard 27-year-old Jack Andrew Cole first kicked the victim before returning to his seat, only to get up again about a minute later and place his phone against a window to film the assault.
A physical altercation between the pair then ensued, during which Cole repeatedly punched and kicked the victim, causing him to fall to the ground before kicking him again, which resulted in a “large amount of blood” spilling from his head.
The victim was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital and underwent surgery two weeks later. It wasn’t until over three months later that Cole was arrested.
A victim impact statement read to the court detailed the ongoing trauma experienced by the victim, who “continually” relives the attack and avoids leaving the house due to his altered appearance.
“He distanced himself from his friends as a coping mechanism and it took a toll on his relationship,” a statement read.
“He was constantly irritable due to the pain and trauma. His partner was, and still is, very anxious at any time he leaves the house. They both fear seeing Mr Cole again.”
Justice Estcourt convicted and sentenced Cole to 12 months’ home detention and 98 hours of community service for assault, for which he has two prior convictions.
He described Cole as a “reformed character”, having sought help in “addressing and overcoming” his alcohol and substance abuse problems.
“It is another case of alcohol fuelled violence by a young man against an innocent victim causing serious injury,” Estcourt said.
“Despite the defendant’s remorse and his reform and the consequent lack of need for personal deterrence, the case calls for a weighty sentence in the interests of general deterrence and denunciation.”
