A 25-year-old man has been handed a suspended sentence for assaulting a man with an existing brain injury at Mandurah’s Belvedere Caravan Park.
Christopher Lawson Cambage pleaded guilty to one count of assault occasioning bodily harm in the Mandurah Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Police prosecutor Tamara Read told the court Cambage assaulted the 46-year-old victim after an altercation broke out about 8.40pm on October 27, 2018.
Senior Constable Read said Cambage was the passenger in a vehicle being driven by a co-accused in the caravan park, when the pair was asked to slow down.
Cambage “alighted” the vehicle and a “verbal argument” broke out between him and the victim.
He “punched the victim multiple times”, causing him to “fall to his knees”.
The victim was taken to hospital for medical attention, with particular concern for an existing brain injury.
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Cambage’s lawyer Matt Davey told the court his client had been drinking heavily that night, to the point where “he was intoxicated”.
He also said Cambage had been seeing a psychologist since the incident and had participated in the Pre-sentence Opportunity Program (POP), with a positive report.
“He has no history except a drink driving charge,” Mr Davey said.
“He comes to the court as a first offender.”
Mandurah Magistrate Anne Longden said it was to Cambage’s credit he pleaded guilty at an early opportunity and had “taken the matter seriously”.
“But the offence itself is awful and serious,” she said.
“Only a term of imprisonment is appropriate.”
Cambage was sentenced to seven months prison, suspended for 12 months.
The co-accused, Shaun John Wonnacott, hit a 65-year-old man with a broom, knocking him unconscious during the same incident.
He was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay $107.50 in costs.
