No jail time for glassing

‘Safety’ pint good break for drinker

A MAN who glassed another man in the face in Geelong’s CBD has avoided jail.

Dylan Mittner, of Mt Duneed, threw a pint glass at Shane Huici in the beer garden at The Sporting Globe last year.

The 25-year-old pleaded guilty in Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday to recklessly causing injury, assault with a weapon and unlawful assault.

The incident, which happened late on November 17, left the bloodied victim with nine stitches and numerous cuts to his face.

Police had pushed for a jail term, but Magistrate Peter Mellas cited Mittner’s age and lack of priors for sparing him prison.

After being arrested, Mittner told police there was “no reason at all” for smashing the glass in Mr Huici’s face.

“He didn’t deserve that,” he said.

The court heard the pair did not know each other and were at the pub with different groups of friends.

Security footage played in court showed Mittner standing and talking to a girl near the table where Mr Huici was sitting.

The girl left and sat down at the table, before the footage appears to show Mr Huici lob an empty glass at Mittner.

The court heard the glass grazed Mittner’s nose, but did not cause any injury.

However, he responded with disturbing force, using the pint glass in his hand to smash it into Mr Huici’s face.

It led to a fight before security intervened.

Mr Huici has been charged with discharging a missile to cause injury for his role in the incident.

He is due to plead guilty in Geelong Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.

The court heard he could have suffered significantly worse injuries had The Sport- ing Globe not been using “safety” pint glasses, which shatter into small pieces to prevent serious injury.

In a victim impact statement, he said he had been afraid to leave the house and no longer felt comfortable around people.

His injuries sidelined him from work for two months, while his lack of income meant he struggled to meet his rent and was almost evicted.

Mr Huici also said it was “heartbreaking” for his family to see the scars on his face.

The court heard Mittner had lost his job as a result of the incident.

His lawyer, Andrew Zingler, said there may have been an argument for self-defence, but Mr Mellas scoffed.

“Don’t even raise it. You’ve seen the footage,” he said.

“He’s very lucky . . . (that) he did not cause very serious injury to this man.”

Mittner was convicted and ordered to do 250 hours of unpaid work as part of an 18month community corrections order.

He was also slapped with a two-year alcohol exclusion order, banning him from licensed premises.

“He’s very lucky the hotel has these shattering glasses ... (and that) he did not cause very serious injury to this man.” MAGISTRATE PETER MELLAS