MAGISTRATE Michael Allen has slammed the actions of a “cowardly, drunken thug” for his part in a vicious and unprovoked attack where two men were assaulted, including being punched in the head from behind, as they walked from a local hotel.
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In sentencing Jaz Vanemmerik, 25, of Limekilns Road, to 150 hours of community service for his part in the affray, Mr Allen warned Vanemmerik “the next rung on the ladder” was jail.
Mr Allen described Vanemmerik’s behaviour as that of a “thug” who had total disregard for other members of the community.
Vanemmerik had earlier pleaded guilty to his part in the incident which occurred in Bentinck Street in the early hours of May 14.
He was one of three people who had left the Elephant and Castle and were walking up Keppel Street when Vanemmerik punched the front glass window of Stitches on Keppel, shattering it.
He and two co-accused then walked down Bentinck Street, where they passed the two male victims.
As the three co-accused walked past the two men, one of the trio yelled out: “What’s your [expletive] problem?” One of the victims turned and faced the co-accused, before the other victim grabbed his friend by the arm and pulled him along to avoid confrontation.
As the victims walked away, Vanemmerik and a co-accused walked up behind one of the men and punched him in the back of the head.
At the same time, the third co-accused punched the second victim in the face, fracturing his nose.
The assault continued and bystanders called police.
Vanemmerik’s solicitor Tim Cain told the court on Monday that following this incident, his client had “completely changed his lifestyle”.
In sentencing, Mr Allen told Vanemmerik: “Understand this: there is no tolerance, zero tolerance, for conduct like this on our streets.
“Mr Cain said you haven’t drunk alcohol for seven weeks. From where I sit, you shouldn’t drink full stop.
“You punched a hole in a window and decided to take to a couple of blokes like a cowardly, drunken thug - angry, blind drunk, carrying on like animals in the street.
“The citizens of Bathurst deserve better, the shop-keepers deserve better, the people who work in pubs deserve better.”
On the charge of affray, Vanemmerik was convicted, and ordered to undertake 150 hours of community service. For the malicious damage he was convicted and fined $400.
