Montell Parrish Noel Harrison in court for grievous bodily harm

A Fraser Coast man has been jailed over two sickening assaults that left his victims in hospital and one unable to eat solid food for six weeks.

A Hervey Bay man has been sentenced for two violent assaults that left his victims in hospital.

Montell Parrish Noel Harrison, 22, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm and assault occasioning bodily harm while armed when he faced Hervey Bay District Court on Thursday.

The court heard that on April 2, 2023, at midnight, Harrison was at the BeachHouse Hotel in Scarness when an argument between two groups broke out.

It heard one individual had attempted to separate the group but Harrison struck him in the side of the jaw as he was doing so.

Five minutes after the groups separated Harrison once again approached the victim who pushed him away.

He responded to the push by once again punching him in the face, causing him to bleed from the mouth and shattering his jaw.

Crown Prosecutor Dani Giorgio told the court the victim was unable to eat solid food for six weeks.

It would take until August 22, 2023, for police to arrest Harrison, she said.

Judge Glen Cash told Harrison “without medical treatment, the victim would have suffered permanent damage to his health”.

Less than two weeks later, Harrison violently assaulted someone else.

The court heard that at 2am on April 15, 2022, Harrison and seven other people confronted a man outside the Torquay Hotel on the Esplanade after they were kicked out of the venue.

An altercation then occurred which resulted in the man fleeing into the pub’s car park, where he slipped and was subsequently set upon by Harrison and his associates.

Ms Giorgio told the court the victim was kicked and punched repeatedly in the head and chest before losing consciousness while also having his phone smashed by Harrison.

CCTV of the incident was due to be played before the court but technical issues prevented this from occurring.

The prosecution eventually decided to forego showing it to not delay the hearing.

Harrison’s legal representative Tristain Carlos said the incident was caused by “racial taunts” directed at the defendant’s group.

Mr Carlos said his client’s upbringing had been “challenging” as one of 12 children to a single mother.

Harrison would routinely witness drug use in the house and abusive behaviour by his mother’s various partners, he said.

The court heard Harrison had accepted his substance use was a contributing factor to the incident.

Mr Carlos said he had attempted to enrol in rehabilitation programs since going into custody on New Year’s Eve.

Upon leaving custody Mr Carlos told the court Harrison planned on becoming a Butchulla ranger on K’gari.

Judge Cash told Harrison he should be optimistic about his chances of rehabilitation.

“When you stay away from the drink you can be quite good.”

Judge Cash sentenced Harrison to three and a half months in jail for grievous bodily harm and two years for the assault causing bodily harm.

He will be eligible for parole on December 22, 2024.

Convictions were recorded

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