Sentencing delay for deaf man's attacker
A Kewdale teenager who bashed a deaf man has had his sentencing put off until February so a psychiatric report can be prepared to see whether his mental health had any impact on his offending.
Joshua William Bignell was due to be sentenced in the Perth District Court this morning after he pleaded guilty in August to causing grievous bodily harm to 28-year-old Gosnells man Seow Oh near Oats Street train station in Carlisle on June 11.
Prosecutor James Newton-Palmer told the court the victim was allegedly punched and kicked several times and his eye socket was fractured, his eye damaged and he received a blood nose.
In his submissions this morning, Bignell's defence lawyer Max Crispe said it was a complex matter when his client's pre-sentence, psychological and medical reports were taken into account.
A report from a GP indicated Bignell suffered from a "significant cluster of conditions" however Mr Newton-Palmer said the State would seek to have a psychiatric report prepared to determine whether Bignell had a brain injury and if so, whether it played any role in his offending.
The maximum penalty for grievous bodily harm is 10 years imprisonment.
Bignell's sentencing was adjourned until February to allow for a psychiatric report to be prepared
