Rosario Adam Bagnato receives 18 months for assault, indecent behaviour at Beverley
A Port Willunga man has been sentenced for a horrifying “unprovoked” assault at Beverley where a man was bitten and punched.
West & Beaches
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The ongoing effects from assault were aired in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday as a Port Willunga man was sentenced to 18 months jail.
Rosario Adam Bagnato, 39, appeared via video-link before Magistrate Paul Foley charged with assault causing harm charge and indecent behaviour.
A police prosecutor for the case read out a victim impact statement in regard to the assault charge, which related to an incident that occurred in June at Beverley.
“It has been four months since you attacked me and everyday I’ve had to live with the fear that you, a stranger, has caused me to feel – anxious and fearful to go out in public,” the statement read.
“My trust in humans is zero, as I look all around me whether it be shopping, having a coffee or even at my favourite local.
“The callous attack you inflicted on me is significant in my brain every minute of my life.
“I used to be an outgoing person but now I find myself in front of my television, looking out my loungeroom window, wishing I was outside – a prisoner in my own home. I never thought this would be me.
“Physically, I now bear a scar on my nose as a constant reminder of what you did.
“I often think of the extent of which you were willing to hurt me, if not for the help of innocent bystanders, that kept you from your vicious onslaught.”
The court heard the assault causing harm charge related to an incident on June 17, when the victim parked his vehicle at Beverley
A business owner then challenged where he had parked and an argument took place.
Bagnato, who didn’t know either of the men, witnessed the argument and then punched the victim repeatedly, hitting him and dragging him backwards.
The victim was held down, and as well as being punched, was bit to the nose, causing the skin to break.
The victim attempted to get away, but due to the blood from the injury to his nose going in his eyes, he fell over.
The indecent behaviour charge related to an incident where police were called to Holden Hill on December 8, 2019, where Bagnato appeared naked on the front porch, shouting to police and shaking his penis in their direction.
In his sentencing statements, Magistrate Foley said he accepted that Bagnato had post traumatic stress disorder, relating to a previous incident of being assaulted himself, and he also noted his guilty plea.
“Nevertheless, this was an unprovoked and serious assault causing harm,” he said.
For both offences, Bagnato received a sentence of 18 months, eight weeks and 26 days, with a non-parole period of 14 months.