Ali Joubouri, who coward-punched Jason Lindsley in 2012, back in court after pleading guilty to trafficking in methylamphetamine

A decade ago, a coward punch nearly ended this man’s life – now his meth-dealing attacker is back in court, and prosecutors say he’s beyond rehabilitation.

The man who nearly killed Jason Lindsley with a coward punch inside a nightclub 10 years ago is back in court for drug trafficking – and prosecutors say he is beyond rehabilitation.

Ali Joubouri faced the District Court by video link on Tuesday, having pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking in a controlled drug.

His counsel asked the case be adjourned to gather expert reports – a submission that drew a strong response from the prosecutor.

“There can be no submissions made in favour of rehabilitation, given his substantive history of offending,” he said.

“He comes before this court with a not insignificant antecedent history, including offences of dishonesty and violence, that show an interest in drug-type offending.”

Jason Lindsley on life support following the punch. Picture: Supplied by the Lindsley family.

Mr Lindsley with his father, Doug, during his recovery.

Judge Rauf Soulio – who sentenced Joubouri for the coward punch – said it was “bold” to suggest an offender’s prior history removed any consideration of mercy.

“That’s a bold submission, and an odd one,” he said.

“He has past history, yes, for possessing controlled drugs but the amounts involved would indicate an addiction rather than like offending.”

In August 2012, Joubouri struck Mr Lindsley – a complete stranger to him – with a vicious coward punch inside the Zhivago nightclub on Currie St, Adelaide.

Mr Lindsley and his wife, Sarah. Picture: Dean Martin

Video footage tendered in court showed Joubouri carrying drinks and dancing briefly with a woman before having a conversation with Mr Lindsley.

Joubouri then walks away, puts his drinks down forcefully, returns to Mr Lindsley and knocks him to the floor with a single punch.

The impact left Mr Lindsley with a near-fatal brain injury – he survived following three separate brain surgeries and months of intensive rehabilitation.

He and his wife, Sarah, vowed they would not let the attack define the rest of their lives and have gone on to start a family and enjoy successful careers.

Joubouri, meanwhile, pleaded guilty to recklessly causing serious harm but asked for mercy, claiming he heard a homophobic, racial slur just before he threw the punch.

Prosecutors, however, said no such comment had been made – and even if it had, it provided no excuse for such violence.

In February 2015, Joubouri was jailed for five years, with a non-parole period of two years and five months.

On Tuesday, the court was told Joubouri was caught trafficking in 1.36g of methylamphetamine on November 13, 2020, charged and released on bail.

It also heard that, in March this year, he allegedly breached his bail when he was caught with an ounce (28g) of the drug.

Counsel for Joubouri said their client had pleaded guilty to the 2020 offending and that negotiations with prosecutors were continuing over the 2023 allegations.

Judge Soulio remanded Joubouri in custody for further submissions in July.