A MOUNT Gambier man who head-butted an innocent 15-year-old boy in an unprovoked attack has been given a chance to engage with alcohol counselling before sentencing.
Magistrate Teresa Anderson granted the defendant a “Griffith’s remand”, which will see sentencing put off for two months to allow the man to engage with appropriate services.
Craig Anthony Wright, 29, appeared in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to the assault at an earlier hearing.
The incident occurred in October last year on the weekend of the Mount Gambier show.
Wright bought a carton and enjoyed some alcoholic drinks with his brother, but they soon became involved in an argument.
The defendant left his house in an attempt to calm down and began walking towards the showgrounds while having a cigarette.
He eventually came across two young males on scooters and decided to pick an argument.
In an unprovoked attack, Wright head-butted one of the boys who was only aged 15.
The random assault caused soft-tissue damage to the boy.
The defendant’s lawyer admitted her client attacked the boy for no apparent reason.
“He does not recall the incident, but he also does not dispute it,” the defendant’s lawyer said.
“Once he became aware of his behaviour, it shocked him.”
Magistrate Anderson said the offending was particularly serious given the age of the boy who was assaulted.
“Somebody’s child has been headbutted,” Magistrate Anderson said.
The court heard, Wright had been convicted of similar over seven years ago, however though that behaviour was “behind him”.
“He thought he could have a drink or two and not fall back into that behaviour,” the defendant’s lawyer said.
“He has now realised there is no safe level of drinking for him at all as he will act out in a manner that is dangerous.”
With the case finely balanced, Magistrate Anderson granted a Griffith’s remand to allow the defendant to make changes in his behaviour.
Wright will be sentenced in two months.
