A Kiama tradie has confessed to carrying out a drunken, unprovoked attack on a pub-goer outside an unmanned Kiama Police Station under the cover of darkness.
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Joseph Ford left his victim battered and bruised after coward punching him in the head and beating him until he was semi-unconscious just after 2am on January 10.
Police described the attack as “unprovoked, vicious and prolonged”, saying the victim had to be taken to hospital for treatment for his injuries.
The court heard Ford followed the man from the Grand Hotel along Terralong Street, launching his attack outside the empty station.
The first hit caused the victim to fall over, however Ford continued to punch him while he lay on the ground and demanding his wallet.
Ford then kicked and stomped on the victim until he was semi-conscious before stealing his phone.
Ford then returned to the pub and tried to start a fight with another group of people, throwing a punch at one man who managed to avoid it by ducking, however the momentum caused Ford to fall into a garden bed.
Police arrived at the scene a short time later, prompting Ford to direct his aggression at them and threaten to “f—king pump” one of the officers.
He was eventually restrained and handcuffed, at which time police located two phones on him.
Police answered a call on one of the phones while they were transporting Ford to Lake Illawarra Police Station, and were informed by the caller – a friend of the assault victim – about the bashing and the theft of the phone.
Ford was charged with assault, robbery and affray offences, to which he pleaded guilty in court on Wednesday.
He will face a sentencing hearing in August.