A DRUNK Inverleigh racegoer who jumped on a man in a Warrnambool hotel and badly broke his victim’s ankle has been ordered to serve 160 hours’ community work.
Scott Francis Stevens, 47, of High Street, appeared in Warrnambool Magistrates Court yesterday for a contest mention hearing, charged with recklessly causing serious injury, intentionally causing injury and unlawful assault.
Police alleged that on May 1 this year, Stevens went with friends to the Warrnambool races where he consumed six to eight cans of beer.
Stevens and his friends later went to the Flying Horse Brewery and then the Cally Hotel where Stevens continued drinking despite being heavily intoxicated.
The court heard that the defendant and the victim were dancing with a woman before a verbal argument broke out between the men.
Stevens had observed the victim drinking at the bar with his back towards him before rushing at the victim, grabbing him around the neck and falling to the ground.
The victim suffered a compound fracture and dislocation of the ankle which required multiple operations and weeks off work, the court heard.
After some discussion about the charges with magistrate Jelena Popovic, Stevens pleaded guilty to negligently causing serious injury.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Sandra Skilton said Stevens jumped on the victim, causing a very serious injury.
The court heard that Stevens had no prior convictions and Ms Popovic had the defendant assessed for a community corrections order for which he was found suitable. Ms Popovic said Stevens had never been in trouble before and it was not in his mind to cause such horrific injuries at the time of the offending.
She said it was a concern that alcohol had led to such a serious outcome. “I’m concerned the victim won’t understand what happened today,” Ms Popovic said.
“He was having a drink at a pub, ended up with a compound fracture and had to take time off work to get it right,” she said.
Ms Popovic said there was nothing to be gained by imposing a prison term.
Stevens was placed on a community corrections order with the condition he complete 160 hours of community work which Ms Popovic said was equivalent to a fine of $3200 and would take 20 full days to complete.