CBD THUG APPEALS JAIL TERM
SON OF WELL-KNOWN PUBLICAN APPEALS J AIL TERM
THE son of a well-known Geelong publican has been sentenced to jail over a latenight attack on a city street.
Ryan Dodds was yesterday sentenced to seven months’ jail after the Geelong Magistrates’ Court heard he left a teenager with severe facial injuries.
In the early hours of August 27 last year, the 33-year-old kicked the victim to the ground in an unprovoked assault on James St in Geelong’s city centre.
The court heard the attack caused the 18-year-old to fall and hit his face on the pavement, before Dodds kicked him once more on the ground.
The victim was left with a bloodied face, while his nose was broken and several teeth were missing or chipped.
Dodds, of Highton, was jailed after pleading guilty to a single charge of recklessly causing injury.
The former security guard is the son of Greg Dodds, who owned the Barwon Club Hotel for 32 years before he sold the business last year.
Greg Dodds was not in court yesterday but his son’s lawyer said the pair maintained a close relationship.
Prosecutor Sergeant Peter Beard said last year’s incident came after a heated argument between Dodds and the victim, who had tried to walk away from the confrontation.
But intent on starting a fight, Dodds took off his jacket and charged at the teenager, before flooring him with a kick to his stomach area.
He then left the area while the injured victim sought refuge at a nightclub, where he collapsed at the front entrance.
The teen was later put in a neck brace and taken to Geelong hospital by ambulance.
Sgt Beard said that while the victim continued to suffer ongoing medical issues, he was lucky to not be killed in the attack.
“If he landed on the back of his head, (Dodds) could be in the back of the Coroners’ Court at the moment,” he said.
The court heard Dodds had been drinking alcohol for several hours before he crossed paths with the victim.
His lawyer said Dodds was “not proud” of his actions.
“It causes him a great deal of shame and embarrassment,” the lawyer said.
Magistrate Tim Walsh labelled Dodds a “thug” as he noted the physical and emotional effects the assault had caused the victim.
“He can barely go out now,” Mr Walsh said.
He said a strong message needed to be sent for such a public display of brutality.
“The community is sick of this gratuitous alcohol-fuelled violence,” he said.
Despite being convicted and jailed, Dodds was released from custody within an hour after immediately appealing his sentence.
He will remain on bail until an appeal is heard in the County Court..
IF HE LANDED ON THE BACK OF HIS HEAD, (DODDS) COULD BE IN THE BACK OF THE CORONERS’ COURT AT THE MOMENT. POLICE PROSECUTOR SERGEANT PETER BEARD