Trio plead for merciful sentence after vicious attack on Christies Beach restaurant owner

A Christies Beach restaurant owner was stabbed and bashed during this trio’s sickening attack. Now they’ve begged a court to spare them time in jail.

Tyrone Thompson, Connar Pails and Baylee Pickett were charged over the 2022 attack, along with Aydin Lenart and a 17-year-old youth.

A trio have begged for no jail after they viciously attacked a Christies Beach restaurant owner in a gang attack, leaving him needing surgery.
Tyrone Bradley Thompson, 23, Connar Aiden Pails, 21, and Aydin Lenart, 21, were fuelled by drugs and alcohol during the bizarre incident.

The trio, along with Baylee Luke Pickett and a 17-year-old, attacked the owner of the Southern Palace Chinese restaurant on Gulfview Rd in January 2022.
Police said the victim confronted the men after he spotted them allegedly spraying graffiti on his front window.

Mollie McKendrick, for the prosecution, told the District Court on Wednesday it wasn’t conceded that the victim was waving a knife before the attack, as alleged by the men.

Connar Pails pleaded guilty to causing harm with intent. Photo: Facebook

Tyrone Thompson pleaded guilty to causing harm with intent and robbery. Photo: Facebook

However, Ms McKendrick said it was irrelevant in any event as the group re-engaged and chased after the victim when he tried to get away.
The victim’s hand was stabbed during the attack, which required stitches.

The court heard the victim also suffered a fracture to his lower eye socket which required surgery, as well as having his gold chain, valued at around $10,000, stolen.

Ms McKendrick pushed for immediate jail for the trio, saying their offending was fuelled by drugs and alcohol and the victim was “outnumbered significantly”.

The trio pleaded guilty to causing harm with intent, while Thompson also pleaded guilty to robbery.

The owner was taken to hospital with serious injuries after he was stabbed and beaten in front of his restaurant. Picture: Katrina Muhsin/10 NEWS FIRST

Pickett was sentenced to two years of home detention in 2022 after pleading guilty to causing harm with intent.

Nick Vadasz, for Thompson, told the court the victim allegedly came out with a knife and advanced on his client, who was cut on the neck.

Mr Vadasz asked the court to consider a suspended or home detention sentence, saying Thompson has had a “hopeless life” so far and he needed support.

Judge Anthony Allen asked Mr Vadasz why Thompson wasn’t currently working when businesses were crying out for employees.

“Yet reports that I get say that he’s … unemployed, and that he plays computer games for two hours a day and smokes dope,” he said.

Angus Redford, for Lenart, also pushed for a non-custodial sentence, saying his client had a traumatic upbringing and was now working as a bricklayer.

The court heard Pails – who similarly asked for a community-based sentence – was remorseful for his actions and hadn’t consumed alcohol since his arrest.
Judge Allen will sentence the men in October.