A man has been jailed for two and a half years and faces deportation to South Sudan for bashing a man at Footscray.
Ngor Akok was this month sentenced in the County Court after pleading guilty to recklessly causing serious injury and committing an indictable offence on bail.
Akok, 20, attacked the victim, 34, last September.
In his sentencing remarks, Judge Justin Hannebery said the victim suffered life-threatening injuries, was hospitalised for seven months and is now cared for by his mother.
“The victim in this matter was at a rotunda in Railway Reserve, Footscray, with one other person,” he said.
“At 4.13pm, you entered that rotunda with another person and yelled aggressively at the victim and his companion.
“You pushed and pulled the victim and grabbed him by the arms.
“He covered his face and tried to walk away, but you followed him.
“At 4.17 pm, you struck the victim to the left side of his head, caused him to drop to the knees.
“You punched him three times to the head. It was these blows to the head that caused the serious injury.
“You also made an attempt to kick the victim to the stomach, but it is unclear if that kick connected.
“You then grabbed the victim in a headlock. Whilst holding him in this position, you kicked his legs out from underneath him, [causing] him to fall to the ground.
“The victim’s companion told you to stop. You left the rotunda and walked towards Footscray train station.
“The victim was helped to his feet and was walked by his companion to Nicholson Street, Footscray.
“The victim was unsteady on his feet and there was blood coming from his nose or mouth.
“The victim was found at approximately 4.55pm laying on the ground in a laneway with his eyes closed. He was not moving or making any noises.”
The injured man was taken to Footscray Hospital and then transferred to The Royal Melbourne Hospital, where he twice underwent skull and brain surgery.
He was in the intensive care unit in a life-threatening condition before being transferred to The Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre.
At the time of offending, Akok was on a community corrections order for charges including unlawful assault and breaching a family violence intervention order.
He was also on two sets of bail for possessing cannabis and shop theft.
Akok must serve one year and nine months before being eligible for parole.
He is in Australia on a humanitarian visa, which will be cancelled unless the relevant minister intervenes.
