Two years jail for bar assault
The manager of one of Bunbury’s busiest nightspots has vowed to help “weed out” troublemakers after one was jailed for two years.
Wahatalafou Leonard Gray, 23, was sentenced in the Bunbury District Court last week for assaulting a tourist and a bouncer at the Fitzgerald’s Irish Bar on Victoria Street in February.
Approved bar manager Glen Fitzgerald welcomed the jail term and said he helped the police in the investigation by giving them CCTV footage.
Mr Fitzgerald has promised that he would continue to help police clean-up his bar.
“This is an unprovoked attack and it ultimately reflects on the whole community,” he said.
Fitzgerald’s introduced ID scanners in August, the same used at nightspots in Perth.
“What we are trying to do is make the Bunbury nightlife precinct safe so people can enjoy themselves,” he said.
The court was told Gray began his attack on the venue’s dance floor when he thought the victim was staring at him.
The victim was punched to the ground and again while was he trying to get to his feet.
He needed three metal plates to repair fractured cheekbones and eye socket.
Gray also attacked a bouncer who was trying to stop the attack.
In a victim impact statement, the tourist said he could not defend himself.
“There’s a certain amount of emotional impact of your offending upon him,” Judge Simon Stone said.
“You spoilt his travel plans and holiday.”
Judge Stone described the assault as “particularly violent” and said Gray had some training in boxing.
The court was told Gray had psychological issues from his background and an alcohol problem.
Gray’s lawyer Seamus Rafferty asked for the jail term to be suspended but Judge Stone rejected this.
He said the offences were too serious and there was a need for deterrence for alcohol-fuelled crime.
Gray will be eligible for parole in 12 months.
