Repeat offender lands in jail after brutal attack on friend

A MAN who has a criminal history littered with violence has been jailed for breaking a friend’s jaw.

Brett Searle.

A MAN who has a criminal history littered with violence has been jailed for breaking a friend's jaw.

Brett William Searle was at the victim's home helping him clean because his friend had a broken arm.

The District Court in Mackay was told the pair had been playing pool and when the friend plugged a USB into the television an image of a female child in underwear popped up of the screen.

The man commented that the pic would get him in trouble.

Searle became angry and attacked the man with a pool cue.

Injures included a broken jaw, cuts, swelling and bruising to the man's face and he lost consciousness.

He was flown to Townsville Hospital for treatment, the court was told.

Searle pleaded guilty to one count of causing grievous bodily harm.

Emily Coley for Crown Prosecutions said Searle had a significant criminal history that included assault occasioning bodily harm while armed and common assault.

Searle had previously been jailed for violence, the court was told.

This assault was with a weapon and there were significant injuries to the victim and the offence breached a suspended jail sentence, Ms Coley said.

Barrister Bronwyn Hartigan said Searle was heavily involved in volunteering at YIRS because the organisation helped him a lot.

A representative from YIRS was in court supporting Searle.

Judge Julie Dick accepted that issues from Searle childhood made this incident more relevant for Searle, the court was told.

"You won't be surprised to know I'm going to send you to jail," Judge Dick said.

He was jailed for three years to be suspended after serving 12 months.

Originally published as Repeat offender lands in jail after brutal attack on friend