BASHER GETS TO WALK
LIGHTS OUT: Victim K.O’d but CBD attacker free to leave court with just a $2750 fine
A MAN involved in a vicious brawl in Geelong’s CBD avoided a conviction yesterday, walking away from court with a $2750 fine.
Jake Broughton, 22, of Corio, delivered a volley of punches to a man who lay unconscious on the ground during the early morning street fight.
A MAN involved in a vicious nighttime brawl in Geelong’s CBD has walked from court with a fine.
Jake Broughton, of Corio, delivered a volley of punches to a man who lay unconscious on the ground during the early morning street fight on December 22.
But the 22-year-old avoided a conviction in Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday as he walked away with a $2750 fine for affray.
Three other men were involved in the fight on Little Malop St, near Dennys Place.
During the altercation, one man was knocked unconscious during a scuffle with Broughton.
The court heard the fight started when Broughton and his workmate reacted to words said to them while walking along the street.
Several bystanders witnessed the brawl, which was captured on mobile phones and later uploaded to social media.
Broughton had initially been filming the fight on his own phone before it was snatched by Lewis Doak.
The steel cutter then turned on Mr Doak, slamming him to the ground and throwing punches at his head as he lay unresponsive on the pavement.
Police allege Broughton’s workmate and co-accused James Twentyman then picked up a metal broom and headed towards the unconscious Mr Doak, before bystanders restrained him.
All four men involved in the ugly incident refused to co-operate with police.
The court heard Broughton, a high school dropout, had been drinking for nearly 14 hours before the fight.
Defence lawyer Adrian Paull said the incident was out of character for Broughton, who he said later quit his job and no longer associated with his former colleagues.
“He is truly remorseful for his involvement in this incident,” Mr Paull said.
“He’s not a man who goes out to pubs and clubs, he’s someone who prefers to stay at home with his girlfriend.”
Broughton was immediately banned from various locations around Geelong’s CBD after being charged over the brawl.
But Magistrate John Lesser chose not to impose an alcohol exclusion order, which would have banned Broughton from licensed premises across the state.
Mr Lesser — who described the fight as a display of lawlessness — also chose not to impose a conviction.
“This sort of behaviour is inexcusable,” he said. “But you have a number of things going for you and it appears to be out of character. You need to learn from this experience and don’t put yourself in that situation again.” Mr Twentyman’s case will return to court on March 13.
“This sort of behaviour is inexcusable.” MAGISTRATE JOHN LESTER