Luke Wayne Hunter in Maroochydore court for assault occasioning bodily harm

A Sunshine Coast scaffolder with a “propensity for violence” continuously struck his latest victim in the head as they went to check their letterbox in broad daylight.

A Maroochydore scaffolder has been labelled a “coward” while being sentenced for physically attacking a man in broad daylight.

Luke Wayne Hunter, 38, received nine months’ prison after pleading guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm, public nuisance and stealing.

The court heard Hunter had been yelling and swearing outside a unit complex at Kingsford Smith Pde Maroochydore during the day on February 8, 2022.

Hunter then turned his anger to a man who came out of the unit block to check his mailbox.

The 38-year-old began yelling at the victim, who was “slightly known” to him, saying he wanted to fight.

Despite the victim telling Hunter to “go away”, he raised his hands and struck the victim several times with both hands to the left side of the face.

While summing up the facts, Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist said the victim asked Hunter to stop and backed away but Hunter struck him several times to the jaw.

“You then kicked the victim’s left leg and the victim fell to the ground striking his head on the footpath,” Magistrate Stjernqvist said.

“You got on top of him and continued to strike the victim in the face several times.”

Police prosecutor Mark Burrell said the victim sustained a cut to the head, a nose bleed, a burst blood vessel in his eye and numerous bruises on his body.

Sergeant Burrell said members of the public had to intervene to help the victim.

“The violence was gratuitous in nature given there was an element of randomness to the attack,” Sergeant Burrell said.

“There is nothing to show that the defendant was under the influence of alcohol or anything at the time.”

Sergeant Burrell said doctors’ statements revealed the victim would make a full physical recovery but suffered ongoing psychological impacts.

The court heard Butler also stole sanding sheets and a headlamp from Bunnings.

Defence solicitor Benjamin Rynderman said his client had a difficult upbringing and background.

Mr Rynderman said Hunter works as a scaffolder and had been diagnosed with anxiety and depression.

Magistrate Stjernqvist said Hunter had a “propensity for violence” and was a “coward” for leaving the scene after the assault.

When Hunter committed the assault he was on parole for another incident in November, 2021 where he struck a victim in the head twice with a hat.

Hunter had served 73 days in presentence custody which Magistrate Stjernqvist declared as time served.

The scaffolder will be eligible for parole on July 29, 2022.