William Thomas Garrahy sentenced at Dalby District Court after biting uncle’s ear

A family gathering took a wild turn when a man attacked his 82-year-old uncle in a drunken rampage, biting off a chunk of his ear and spitting it out. See how the ‘series of disgraceful assaults’ unfolded.

A man sat in the court’s dock with his head hung in shame while he was sentenced for attacking his uncle in a whirlwind of events that included him biting a chunk of his relative’s ear off and spitting it out.

William Thomas Garrahy appeared at Dalby District Court on July 19 after seriously assaulting his 82-year-old uncle.

Crown prosecutor Cameron Wilkins detailed the “disgraceful” event, which started off as a usual family gathering at his uncle’s home at The Gums on May 8, 2022.

He said it was late at night and the 40-year-old nephew had consumed “far too much alcohol”.

“(The victim) told his nephew to go to bed and (Garrahy) replied, ‘I oughta f--king kill you’,” Mr Wilkins said.

“(Garrahy) grabbed him by the throat until (the victim) managed to peel his hands off.”

The court was told the nephew then headbutted his uncle three times to the temple, and bit down on the top of the ear taking off a chunk and spat it on the floor.

He continued to attack his uncle by biting the ends of his finger until the victim was able to kick his nephew in the groin, and tied him up with a belt until the police arrived.

Garrahy hung his head in court when listening to what he had done, and broke down in tears.

Despite being the victim of a disturbing assault, the victim impact statement read aloud in court by Mr Wilkins was said to be a “measured” one as the victim hoped that his nephew would receive the psychological help that he needed.

Along with the victim impact statement, Mr Wilkins submitted photographs of the injuries to the court.

William Thomas Garrahy, 40, was sentenced at Dalby District Court on July 19, 2023 for three counts of serious assault of a person over 60 and one count of assault occasioning bodily harm. Picture: Facebook

Defence barrister Scott Lynch said his client was “utterly disgusted” with himself as he viewed his uncle as a “mentor” figure and offered to pay $5000 in compensation to his uncle.

“Upon the following morning he recognised alcohol was a problem and ceased consumption,” Mr Lynch said.

“He hopes there’s reconciliation between the family.”

Judge Alexander Horneman-Wren SC labelled the attack as a “disgraceful series of assaults”.

“The injuries were graphically demonstrated in the photographs,” he said.

“Violence with family does not excuse the violence, in fact as a matter of law it aggravates the fact. People must know assaults committed in that context and in your case, serious assault because of the age of the family member, is treated seriously.”

Garrahy pleaded guilty to three counts of serious assault of a person over 60 and one count of assault occasioning bodily harm.

He was sentenced to two years’ jail, immediately released on parole and ordered to pay the $5000 in compensation.