A WODONGA man who savagely assaulted an acquaintance and left him for dead in a “shameful” attack has been spared jail despite having a prior history of assault.
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Magistrate Stella Stuthridge chastised Andrew James Oakley, 43, for his behaviour, noting he had “completely pulverised” the victim’s face on February 22, leaving him in a pool of blood after leaving the scene.
But despite warnings of jail time, Oakley was spared imprisonment and will instead undertake community work and a corrections order.
The 145kg welder, who is almost two metres tall, had been drinking with the victim at a mutual friend’s home on February 21.
A group had gathered to celebrate a birth and after several hours of drinking, the 53-year-old victim headbutted the back fence of the property and left by jumping a side fence.
They didn’t even ring an ambulance ... they just left
- Magistrate Stella Stuthridge
Oakley wanted to know why he had damaged the fence and got into a vehicle driven by his partner with another person to look for him.
The group headed to the White Box Rise shopping centre and spotted the victim, who was walking home, in the car park.
Oakley approached the victim shortly after midnight and stopped him before exchanging words, and punched him at least six times in the head.
The victim fell to the ground and was left lying in a pool of blood, and the group drove off.
A passing police van found the victim about 10 minutes later and he was transported to Albury Hospital with extensive facial injuries, some of which require ongoing medical treatment.
The victim supported Oakley during a hearing at the Wodonga Magistrates Court on Thursday.
A letter from the victim - who has largely been uncooperative with police - supporting Oakley was tendered to the court.
Ms Stutheridge said she could hardly fathom that Oakley and those with him would leave the victim deserted in the car park.
“They didn’t even ring an ambulance,” she said.
“They could call (Triple-0).
“They just left.”
The court was told several times the case was unusual given the victim had supported Oakley at each court appearance.
He was placed on a community corrections order for two years with 200 hours of community service.
