A good samaritan suffered irreparable brain damage after he was attacked by former Comanchero bikie Danny Rapley

The family of a good samaritan – who is living with irreparable brain damage after he was attacked by a former bikie said the relative they once knew no longer exists.

The family of a man has spoke of the devastation they’ve experienced since their good Samaritan relative suffered irreparable brain damage after he was bashed by a former Comanchero bikie.

Danny Rapley, 45, appeared in the District Court on Tuesday where the court heard his victim has irreparable brain damage and has “total incapacity” to do simple tasks.

In two separate victim impact statements, read out by the prosecutor, family members described how the man they knew no longer exists.

“On the 21st of March 2021, (the man) that we knew died,” one relative said.

“We now have a different version of (him) that we’re struggling to get to know and understand.

“The 21st of March 2021 is also the day (he) started a life sentence to confinement, helplessness, loneliness and confusion.”

Rapley pleaded guilty to recklessly causing the victim serious harm in July last year following his arrest in March 2021.

Danny Rapley, who is a former member of the Comanchero bikie gang, left a man with irreparable brain damage. Picture: SAPOL

At the time of the assault police said Rapley and his partner had been arguing in public in Salisbury North at 5.15pm on March 21.

A member of the public, a 49-year-old Paralowie man, stepped in to intervene in the argument.

Police launched an extensive search for Rapley – which lasted a total of two days – warning people not to approach him if they saw him.

Rapley was listed as an arrest linked to Operation Ironside, which targeted users of encrypted communication devices known as AN0M.

It is unknown whether he was a user, however it is believed evidence gathered from the phones helped police locate Rapley.

The prosecutor said Rapley was on bail at the time and has a lengthy criminal history.

“(It) has resulted in the victim suffering total incapacity … he is permanently physically and mentally impaired,” he said.

CCTV footage shows the Comanchero bikie Danny Rapley with a woman inside a supermarket. Source: 9 News.

“The mere fact that it was (the victim) that approached the defendants location does not, in my submission, amount to an excuse for the subsequent offending or does it constitute a particularly satisfactory explanation or justification for what followed.”

Dominic Agresta, for Rapley, said his client should be eligible for a partially suspended sentence due to his rehabilitation prospects and a lack of aggravating factor in the attack.

“Because he’s been drug free for such a long period … that shows he’s on the path to rehabilitation,” he said.

“The victim approached my client, not the other way round.

“Had the perpetrator approached the victim … that would be an aggravated factor and that’s missing here.”

Mr Agresta and the prosecutor agreed there was no suggestion that the offence relates to the fact Rapley is a former Comanchero bikie.

Rapley will next appear for sentence in the District Court in June.