Man knocked briefly unconscious in grave and criminal assault

Saturday 06 January 2024

A 37-year-old man who punched another man in an unprovoked attack, leaving him briefly unconscious, has been spared prison.

Ryan Andrew Finnegan was instead sentenced to 100 hours of community service for the assault which took place in Minden Place on the night of 2 December 2023.

The Magistrate's Court was shown CCTV footage of the incident in which Finnegan approached the other man and punched him, knocking him to the ground.

Advocate Howard Tobias, prosecuting, said the victim had been unconscious for 15 seconds.

Advocate Chris Baglin, defending, said the attack had not been premeditated and Finnegan was considered at low risk of reconviction.

Assistant Magistrate Adam Clarke told the 37-year-old that offences of this nature would normally merit a four-month jail sentence.

But he said that he was taking into consideration his guilty plea and the month he had already spent in custody in imposing 100 hours of community service instead.

Announcing the sentence, the Assistant Magistrate told Finnegan: “I hope that we will not be seeing you again in these circumstances.”