Joseph William Gregory pleaded guilty to assault, robbery with personal violence

A young father-to-be who attacked his 14-year-old “friend” twice, including at his local Hungry Jacks restaurant, has fronted court.

A teenager, who launched a violent assault on a much younger ‘friend’ after a falling out and then attacked him again two weeks later at a fast food restaurant, has narrowly escaped going to jail.

Joseph William Gregory, 19, pleaded guilty in Maryborough District Court to two counts of robbery with personal violence, one count of assault occasioning bodily harm and one count of common assault.

The court heard on June 1 last year, Gregory had been at an apartment when a 14-year-old friend said something about his family that he didn’t like.

He then launched a violent attack on the young man, including pushing him, the court was told, causing him to hit a wall, and stomping on him while he was on the ground.

During the attack, Gregory also took personal items belonging to the young victim, including a gold chain.

The teen had been left with bruises as a result.

Two weeks later, Gregory saw the same boy at a shopping centre and followed him to Hungry Jacks.

There, he told him to sit down for a chat and again assaulted him, punching him in the jaw.

The boy dropped his phone during the assault, causing it to break.

Joseph William Gregory, 19, pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery with personal violence, one count of assault occasioning bodily harm and one count of common assault when he faced Maryborough District Court on Monday.

When police caught up with Gregory later, he told him the assault happened because the other teen was “talking s**t” about his family.

He told police he drank several Bundaberg Rum cans before the assault.

The court heard Gregory was born on the Gold Coast.

His birth had never been registered, which had caused problems for him because without a birth certificate, he was unable to get a licence or open a bank account.

It had also interfered with his ability to keep ongoing work, the court was told.

He had been raised by his father, who, along with his stepmother, was supporting him in court, and he was soon to be a father himself.

At the time of offending, Gregory had broken up with a partner and was drinking heavily.

He was also homeless at the time.

Since the offending, Gregory had connected with Act for Kids and Men’s Shed in his efforts to rehabilitate, the court was told, earning praise from the latter for his artistic talent with woodwork.

Gregory now abstained from alcohol, the court was told.

Judge Bradley Farr said the attack was “no doubt frightening” for the victim.

Gregory was sentenced to 12 months in prison with immediate release on parole.

He was also given 80 hours of community service.