Party puncher may avoid jail

A CLAREMONT man who punched a former police officer in the head from behind and left him permanently disfigured may avoid going to jail, a judge says.

Lachlan Justin Plummer pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court in Hobart on Monday to one count of causing grievous bodily harm.

The Crown Prosecutor said that on June 29, 2019, Mr Plummer, who was 20 years old at the time, and the victim, who was 49, were at a party at the Claremont Bowls Club for Mr Plummer’s uncle’s 50th birthday.

A few minutes after a scuffle on the dancefloor between the two men, Mr Plummer approached the victim from behind and punched him in the head “with no warning”.

The court heard emergency surgery was required to relieve pressure and save the victim’s eyesight.

He had four subsequent surgeries for his injuries, the court was told.

A victim impact statement said the man had been left with bouts of double vision, no feeling in parts of his face, and had lost his sense of smell. His sense of taste was also affected, and he was unable to drive.

On Wednesday, Mr Plummer’s lawyer Craig Rainbird said the 21-year-old Claremont man worked full time as a concreter and was highly regarded by his employer.

The court heard he showed sporting prowess as a representative of his school in football, cricket and cross country and was a state representative in junior football. He now played for the Hobart Football Club seniors.

Mr Rainbird said Mr Plummer was devastated by the outcome of his conduct and had sent a message to his uncle in the days after the incident to say he was “regretful, embarrassed and ashamed”.

Mr Rainbird said the incident was out of character for Mr Plummer who had no prior convictions, a good work ethic and was an “active young man who enjoys his sport”.

Judge Stephen Estcourt said the serious nature of the injuries was an important consideration in sentencing.

He said “ordinarily a prison sentence may follow” but due to Mr Plummer’s youth he proposed to look for alternatives.

“Potentially this could be home detention or a suspended sentence,” Justice Estcourt said.

He ordered a pre-sentence report to assess Mr Plummer’s suitability for home detention and community service.

Mr Plummer was bailed to reappear on November 6.

JESSICA HOWARD