Xander Clifford John Godwin assaulted two men at an ATM in Rockhampton’s Safe Night Precinct

A 37-year-old man is facing the prospect of having all of his teeth replaced after a “mindless” drunken violent attack at an ATM in Rockhampton. Full details here.

Xander Clifford John Godwin assaulted two men at an ATM in Rockhampton’s Safe Night Precinct over shoes

A 37-year-old man is facing the prospect of having all of his teeth replaced after a “mindless” drunken violent attack at an ATM in Rockhampton.

The victim’s attacker, Xander Clifford John Godwin, was sentenced this week to 2.5 years’ jail for this attack and 12 months for an attack on another victim at the same time.

Godwin, 20, pleaded guilty on April 21 in Rockhampton District Court to one count each of assault causing grievous bodily harm and assault occasioning bodily harm.

Xander Clifford John Godwin, 20.

Crown prosecutor Matthew Sutton said the GBH victim sustained fractures to both sides of his jaw which had left his teeth out of alignment and they were now wearing down as a result.

He said the victim had been advised by medical experts and dentists that to fix the jaw, it would have to be wired shut, and he was facing having all of his teeth replaced with false teeth due to the subsequent damage.

The court heard in the late hours of May 1, 2021, the victims had gone to an ATM near the courthouse when Godwin approached the GBH victim and asked him if he had shoes that would fit him.

The victim did not give Godwin his shoes and Godwin mumbled something and walked away.

The other man then started towards the ATM and asked Godwin how he was going to which Godwin replied he wanted his shoes before punching his face many times.

The first man turned around and saw what was going on.

Godwin asked the first man if “there was going to be a problem” and the man told Godwin he was being a “d---head’ and to go home.

Godwin told the man “you are going to have a problem” before moving closer and kicking the man in the left side of his face.

The man tried to restrain Godwin who struggled with him and continued to assault him, punching him in the face several times.

Godwin eventually fell to the ground.

The GBH victim alerted a security guard and waved down police, holding and restraining Godwin until police arrived.

Godwin was originally only charged with public nuisance in the vicinity of a licensed venue and was released on bail the following day.

He was charged with AOBH and GBH on July 26, 2021, and remanded in custody until sentence.

Judge Jeff Clarke said Godwin conducted himself “like a violent thug” in “unprovoked, fortuitous street violence in a public setting”.

Defence barrister Ross Lo Monaco said his client was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) when he was eight or nine years old, left school in grade eight due to having social and academic issues, and started using marijuana and drinking alcohol when he was 13.

Barrister Ross Lo Monaco.

He said Godwin moved on to crystal methamphetamines when he was 14 and used it until he was remanded in custody for these offences.

However, Mr Lo Monaco said he was instructed Godwin was not on drugs the night of the assaults, but had been drinking heavily and did not recall the incidents.

He said Godwin accepted he did carry out the attacks on the men.

Mr Lo Monaco said his client recognised he had anger management issues that he needed to address.

Judge Clarke said the GBH victim’s impact statement talked of only being able to eat soft foods and no longer being able to stand hot or cold foods due to the damage from the assault.

In sentencing Godwin to 2.5 years’ prison, Judge Clarke declared 269 days pre-sentence custody and gave him immediate parole.

However Godwin still has outstanding matters in the Magistrates Court to be dealt with before he will be released from prison.