Cairns crime: Rugby league players Aaron Paul Coghill, Michael George Allwin Coghill, Josiah James Coghill guilty of assault
Three brothers from a close-knit family sought to exact revenge on a man who allegedly repeatedly attacked their sister over a number of years — but they targeted the wrong man.
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A man who “just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time” was severely bashed in a misguided attempt at retribution, Cairns District Court heard on Monday.
Far North rugby league players Aaron Paul Coghill, 35, Michael George Allwin Coghill, 29, and younger brother Josiah James Coghill, 24, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm before Judge Tracy Fantin.
The court heard on January 10, 2021, their sister arrived at Michael’s place bleeding from a head wound she said had been inflicted by her partner, and that she had been attacked by him multiple times over the years.
“You all became upset and enraged by this occurring in the context that over some years there was repeated domestic violence allegedly committed by her partner against her, the three of you went looking for him to confront him about what he had done to your sister,” Judge Fantin said.
The trio went to the man’s mother’s house in Manoora and although he was not there, his brother was.
The court heard Josiah ran behind a bar and punched the man in the head and face multiple times, with Michael repeatedly punching him to the face and head, while his exit from the space was blocked by Aaron, who did not inflict any actual violence.
The assault lasted 10 minutes and the man passed out before regaining consciousness and bleeding heavily.
He spent two nights in Cairns Hospital with multiple injuries.
During the hearing, Judge Fantin said “they bashed someone up who had nothing to do with the assault of their sister, he just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time”.
Prosecutor Christian Peters said it was a brutal and protracted assault and it had a profound effect on the victim.
Representing Josiah, defence barrister Rachelle Logan said he was considered a reliable and hard worker, his previous offences were low level and he had complied with parole conditions. All three of the brothers worked as scaffolders, with Aaron now in a FIFO job after working on Cairns Convention Centre, the court heard.
Defence barrister James Sheridan represented Michael, who has been in custody for two months on remand in relation to other charges.
He said Michael had five children, and presented a letter of support from his work supervisor which said Michael had expressed remorse and insight into his offending.
“You are absolutely no use to them (children) while you are in prison, it is your fault you are in prison,” Judge Fantin said.
Their mother Joan Coghill addressed the court, saying her sons were not a risk to society and had accepted accountability for their actions.
“We are not a disrespectful family,” she said.
She said her daughter should have called an ambulance and contacted police, but she went to her brothers instead.
The court heard the brothers were originally charged with burglary in the night in company as well, but on the first day of a trial, the trio pleaded guilty on the assault charge and the prosecution discontinued the burglary charge.
Judge Fantin said they were not to blame for the long delay in progressing the matter.
She sentenced Aaron to 12 months’ prison, wholly suspended for an operational period of 18 months.
“I accept this offending was completely out of character for you and it was a really bad decision for all of you,” Judge Fantin said.
Josiah was sentenced to 18 months’ in prison with a parole release date of July 24.
Michael was sentenced to 18 months in prison with a parole date of August 24, but Judge Fantin noted he may not be paroled if he remained on remand for other offences.
Judge Fantin said Michael had a serious criminal history including arson.
“The fact you were all upset and angry about your sister being assaulted puts the offending in a particular context, it may have been understandable you were enraged and upset but it in no way excuses your behaviour,” Judge Fantin said.
“You targeted a completely innocent man.
“Vigilantism of this kind cannot be condoned,” Judge Fantin said.
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