Zachary Thomas admits assaulting stranger, causing brain injury, on same night Jack Hanley was killed on Hindley St
He pushed a man to the ground, causing brain injuries, as — just 42m away — Jack Hanley sustained a punch that killed him. Today, this man confessed to assaulting a stranger on Hindley St.
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- Punch thrown ‘with all possible force’ killed man on Hindley St
- ‘It was self-defence’: Manslaughter accused defends fatal punch
A man has admitted pushing or pulling a stranger to the ground, causing him traumatic brain injuries, on the same night — and just 42m away from where — Jack Hanley was fatally punched.
On Thursday, Zachary Thomas told the Adelaide Magistrates Court he was too drunk to remember why he attacked his victim outside KFC on Hindley St in December 18 months ago.
He conceded his actions were unprovoked and unjustified, but asked he be sentenced differently to a “one-punch attacker”, given he did not deliver a blow.
Magistrate Simon Smart said that was of little relevance.
“Whether it’s a push, a pull or a punch, the danger is that someone will fall over and hit their head — and that’s what happened,” he said.
“The fact is, if someone loses their balance, falls over and hits their head on a hard surface, there is a risk of tragedy.”
Thomas, 24, of Springton, pleaded guilty to recklessly causing harm to another person — whom The Advertiser has chosen not to name — in the early hours of December 10, 2017.
Witnesses asserted the man was outside the KFC talking about money, and that Thomas said “I can sort him out” before either pushing or pulling him to the ground.
The assault occurred just 42m away from the corner of Hindley and Morphett Sts where, that same morning, Mr Hanley died after being struck with a single, forceful punch.
Reece Watherston, 21, has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter over that incident and is awaiting the verdict of the Supreme Court.
On Thursday, a victim impact statement written by the man Thomas attacked was read to the court.
The man said he continued to struggle with loss of memory, confidence and physical aptitude, as well as ongoing consequences from his injury.
“I’m a funny person and I drink, but I never get violent … I did not give (Thomas) a reason to attack me,” he said.
“I don’t hate (Thomas) but I hate what he has done … I wish he was a bit smarter … I hope he never does it again, and that he has learned a lesson.
“He’s not just stuffed up my life, he’s stuffed up his own.”
Andrew Ey, for Thomas, said his client was a hardworking man with strong family support who had acted out-of-character.
“He accepts it was a push or a pull, unfortunately he cannot assist as to which it was because he has a complete absence of recollection,” he said.
“He has no recollection of making that comment, but cannot refute it … he accepts it was completely unprovoked, he is ashamed and very, very sorry.”
Magistrate Smart remanded Thomas on continuing bail for sentencing next week.
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