Sentencing following a guilty plea to assault causing bodily harm arising from a single punch during a dispute over rent money.
The victim suffered catastrophic injuries including a severe brain injury, permanent neurological damage, seizures, and permanent loss of independence.
The court considered the proportionality principle, the offender’s lack of criminal record, remorse, substance abuse history, and compliance with bail conditions against the devastating harm caused.
While the defence sought a conditional sentence, the court held that denunciation and deterrence required a custodial term.
A sentence of eight months’ incarceration followed by two years’ probation with strict abstinence and counselling conditions was imposed.
