Alcohol fuelled pub assault leaves man with broken jaw
Seanchai Irish Pub in Warrnambool, Victoria was the scene of a violent assault that left one man in hospital with a broken jaw.
A 29-year-old Irish national broke his victim’s jaw on October 27, 2023, after he punched the man in the side of the face at about 10 pm.
The pair was playing pool at the venue before the fight broke out.
The accused pleaded guilty in court to the offence of recklessly causing injury and admitted he "snapped" after the victim ridiculed him about a personal sensitivity.
The court heard the accused was remorseful. His lawyer Kiernan Celestina argued he was not intoxicated and said he was "innocently" playing pool with his colleagues.
"While not seeking to excuse his action in any way, he was subject to ridicule by the victim..." Celestina said.
Celestina urged the magistrate to consider the man’s circumstances when assessing his moral culpability and made an application for a diversion plan.
Magistrate Gerard Lethbridge rejected the application, saying "this is absolutely unsuitable for diversion".
Lethbridge said that a personal insecurity was not an excuse for violence.
"Violence by men in hotels when they are drunk is a significant issue," he said.
Lethbridge noted the growing cases of "coward punches", that have left victims badly hurt or dead.
"You simply can't lash out like this," he said.
"Make no mistake, this is a serious crime."
Despite this the magistrate said Celestina had "just" persuaded him to not record a conviction.
The man must serve a two-year good behaviour bond and donate $2500 to the court fund, which is distributed to local charities.
Jonathan Jackson, 26th March 2024
