A WOLLONGONG teenager has received a nine-month suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to an appalling assault on a Syrian refugee that left him bleeding and barely conscious.
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Christopher Elbourne repeatedly punched and kicked the man in the Wollongong CBD on June 4 after he fell onto Elbourne’s motorbike while being assaulted by a separate group of males.
In court, defence lawyer Tim McKenzie said the initial attack on the victim appeared to have been race-related, however he denied that was Elbourne’s motivation.
“He’s become involved after the poor victim made contact with his bike and he’s acted extremely inappropriately as a result,” Mr McKenzie said.
He said Elbourne had been receiving treatment for drug abuse and anger management since the incident.
Magistrate Michael Stoddart labelled Elbourn’es actions “shameful” and “disgraceful”, but noted he had no prior criminal record, was receiving treatment and had not committed any further offences since his arrest.
“In my view given the gravity of the situation a custodial sentence in clearly warranted,” he said.
“[But] given the fact you have pleaded guilty, never been in trouble before and there are some positive signs of rehabilitation, I’m prepared to suspend that sentence.
Elbourne will be required to submit to Community Corrections supervision as part of his sentence, and must obey any directions to undertake counselling or courses for drug and alcohol abuse and anger management.
