Teenager pleads guilty to bashing blind elderly man
A blind man who was bashed by a teenager as he waited for a bus on the NSW Central Coast has labelled his attacker as “scum”.
John Jenkins, who is legally blind, suffered a stroke 10 years ago and it left him unsteady on his feet.
Mr Jenkins left Dutton’s Tavern at Gosford around 10pm on Wednesday night and was waiting at a nearby bus stop when 19-year-old Wesley Barton struck.
Attacker Wesley Barton. Picture: 7 News
Barton, who was with a 17-year-old, pushed Mr Jenkins into the gutter before repeatedly kicking and hitting him.
The attack only stopped when two witnesses stepped in.
Blind man John Jenkins. Picture: 7 News
“Any assault on a person is not a nice thing, but certainly a vulnerable person, one that is visually impaired,” detective inspector John Zdrilic said.
The teen appeared in Gosford Local Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to charges including common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Mr Jenkins was seen on CCTV leaving the tavern. Picture: 7 News
He was refused bail and will be sentenced next month.
The 17-year-old, who was also taken into police custody after the assault, was released without charge.
Mr Jenkins was later treated in hospital for cuts on his face, elbows and hands and pain to his jaw.
Barton remains in custody ahead of sentencing. Picture: 7 News
