A Cambewarra man has narrowly avoided a full-time jail sentence over a sickening attack on a jockey during a night out in Berry in January.
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Champion rider Peter Wells was knocked unconscious after intervening in a late-night dispute between David Robert Sharp and Sharp’s ex-girlfriend outside a service station on the Princes Highway.
Wells was punched twice to the head with “upper cut” style blows, sending him crashing to the footpath.
It took almost a minute for him the regain consciousness and he was left disoriented and in need of medical attention.
Wells was taken to Shoalhaven Hospital where he underwent surgery for a fractured nose and jaw.
Wollongong Local Court heard Wells and Sharp had spent the evening out drinking with a group of friends, including Sharp’s ex-girlfriend of six months.
Wells, Sharp, the ex-partner and another woman left the Great Southern Hotel at closing time and crossed the road, at which time Sharp said he would walk his ex home.
However, the pair began to argue, prompting the other woman to approach Sharp and tell him to stop.
Sharp yelled at the woman, before punching a street sign and turning to walk towards her.
Wells stepped in between Sharp and the woman, telling him in a calm tone “mate, settle down. Everyone is tired, you can sort this out in the morning”.
Court documents said Sharp immediately lunged at Wells, grabbing him by the head and pushing his thumbs into Wells’ eyes and putting his fingers on his ears.
Sharp then pulled Wells’ head down and punched him twice, causing Wells to lose consciousness and fall.
Sharp ran off straight away. The court heard he sent a text message to one of Wells’ relatives a short time later saying “I just gave Pete a hiding. It’s not my my go but he was out of line. I don’t want you to get involved by you [had] better check on him. I’m truly sorry mate.”
Sharp was arrested a week later and charged with assault-related offences.
He pleaded guilty to recklessly causing grievous bodily harm in court and was handed a 14-month suspended jail sentence on Tuesday.
Magistrate Mark Douglass found Sharp’s mental health problems would mean serving a custodial sentence would be “more onerous” on him than other similar offenders.