An ice addict, who was one of four men who bashed their victim in broad daylight in a Wangaratta street, has been praised for the respectful way he engaged with Aboriginal elders in court this week.
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Garrie Scott was sentenced to the 195 days in jail he has already served, plus a community correction order with 150 hours of unpaid work, after pleading guilty to intentionally causing injury and attempted kidnapping.
He was part of a group of four Shepparton men who travelled to Wangaratta to recover a debt from their 36-year-old victim on April 20 last year.
Mobile phone footage taken by a bystander showed the men chase the victim down Larkings Street and confront him, punch and kick the man, then try to drag the him into the car. The victim managed to get free and run away to call for help.
Scott was sentenced in the Koori Court this week, which involves a process of offenders discussing rehabilitation with Aboriginal elders before the judge hands down a sentence.
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Judge Carolene Gwynn said Scott should never have been involved in the assault, which left the victim with fractured ribs, a collapsed lung, broken nose and cuts and bruises.
"To make it worse, it was committed in broad daylight with others unfortunately made witness to the violence," she said.
She said a psychologist found Scott was in the midst of an methamphetamine addiction at the time of the assault, but has since started rehabilitation.
"You expressed to her your regret and shame for your offending," Judge Gwynn said.
"You are highly motivated for a different way of life."
One co-offender Avni Selman has been sentenced to 18 months in jail and Sedat Ciftci, who had limited involvement in the violence, was placed on a 20-month community corrections order.