Traumatic unit attack

Man pelted with bottles

A MAN was beaten and pelted with bottles, and his nephew was left “traumatised”, during a home invasion over an apparent debt, a court has been told.

Stefan Brook Derepas, 41, walked into the Southport unit on July 19 last year – hours after he was turned away – and began attacking the pair.

Derepas appeared in Southport District Court yesterday via video-link where he pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding, assault occasioning bodily harm and assault occasioning bodily harm while armed.

Judge David Kent sentenced him to three years prison.

He said the offending was “serious” and was carried out in a home where the victims were entitled to feel safe.

On the night of the attack Derepas walked into a unit, where a man who he had known for several years lived, and began throwing plates and empty bottles, the court was told.

His victim was struck, causing a laceration to his thumb that required surgery. He was then hit to the head with a weapon, believed to be a baton.

The court was told the man’s nephew, whom Derepas had met on only one occasion, was set upon and struck to the face. He managed to flee and flag down a car.

Derepas continued to fight the other man before leaving.

The man and his nephew were taken to hospital after the attack.

The court was told the attack could have been over money being owed.

Crown Prosecutor Michael Mitchell said the nephew was “traumatised” by the events.

The court was told Derepas had a “significant history of violence”.

Defence barrister Kate Juhasz said Derepas had struggled with drug and alcohol addiction over the years. She said he had been clean while in custody and hoped to stay that way when released.

Derepas has already spent 282 days behind bars and will be released on parole on July 19.