Dale Lush jailed for drunken assault on patron at the Salisbury Hotel

A steroid user who had consumed 30 standard drinks before bashing a patron and security guard at a northern suburbs hotel has been jailed. Watch the video

A steroid user who had consumed 30 standard drinks before bashing a patron at a northern suburbs hotel, leaving the victim with permanent injuries, will spend at least the next year behind bars.

Dale Ryan Lush, 34, was jailed for one year and 11 months on Friday in the District Court and will need to serve at least a year and one month before becoming eligible for parole.

Lush pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and aggravated assault over the incident at the Salisbury Hotel on October 21, 2020.

He had been at the bar drinking with his partner and later said he estimated he had drunk around 30 standard drinks.

Around 9.30pm Lush believed he heard a nearby patron say something offensive towards him.

Judge Ian Press in his sentencing remarks said that the victim had in fact not said anything, which was backed up by nearby witnesses.

Judge Press said he accepted that Lush believed something had been said, but that did not excuse his actions.

“It does not make your behaviour any less serious,” he said.

“It provides no excuse or justification for the extremely aggressive and violent behaviour in which you then engaged.”

Dale Lush who was jailed for an alcohol fuelled attack at a northern suburbs hotel. Picture: Facebook.

Lush attacked the man, punching him repeatedly to the face and continuing to assault him even after he had fallen backward.

Other patrons had to pull Lush from the victim.

Lush continued to be violent outside the Hotel where he attacked a security guard.

The man had stepped in between Lush and his girlfriend who were arguing.

Lush punched the man to the face and “manhandled him” before eventually calming down and shaking his hand.

But shortly after getting in his car and making to drive away, Lush once again tried to get to his girlfriend.

The security again moved between them and got punched in the face for a second time.

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Judge Press said the victim from inside the hotel had suffered two fractured eye sockets which required surgery.

The victim reported that his vision is still blurry and he has headaches which doctors believe could be permanent.

The security guard suffered bruising to his face and a damaged tooth.

Judge Press said Lush had grown up in a situation where violence was an acceptable way of dealing with problems.

James Noblet, for Lush, argued during an earlier hearing that his client had made significant steps towards addressing his alcohol and substance abuse.

Dale Lush who was jailed for an alcohol fuelled attack at a northern suburbs hotel. Picture: Facebook.

“One of the more difficult questions is how long this wake-up call will continue to have an effect on you,” Judge Press said.

“You have shown yourself able to change in the past but you have hen returned to what may be described as destructive behaviour which has then led to violence.”

Lush will be eligible for parole in February next year.