Roofer Jyrah Dittman pleads guilty to one punch attack in Maroochydore

A Sunshine Coast roofer’s assault victim could not talk or eat solid foods for two months after he was brutally punched in the face by the 21-year-old during a night out on Ocean St.

Jyrah James Dittman leaving Maroochydore District Court on Monday. Picture: Patrick Woods

A Sunshine Coast roofer has avoided being sent to jail after his violent one punch attack caused his victim to eat pureed food for two months.

Jyrah James Dittman’s supporters breathed a sigh of relief in the Maroochydore District Court on Monday after they were told the now 21-year-old would serve no time in custody for the attack which left his victim with a broken jaw.

Judge Jennifer Rosengren told the Maroochydore man the complainant couldn’t talk or eat after Dittman smashed his jaw, and stated how he easily could’ve been up on a murder charge if the man fell, hit his head and died.

The judge said the victim ate pureed for two months following the incident.

The court heard Dittman was drinking in Ocean St on March 5, last year when there was a verbal altercation between his group and another.

Crown prosecutor Alex Stark said CCTV captured the moment the victim pointed at something before Dittman punched him in the jaw with his right fist.

Jyrah James Dittman pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm. Picture: Patrick Woods

Mr Stark said the man, who was unknown to Dittman, suffered a broken jaw from the assault.

In his victim impact statement, the complainant said he suffered emotionally and physically from the brutal attack but wanted to move on with his life.

Defence barrister Lachlan Ygoa-McKeown told Judge Rosengren there was a stacked public gallery of supporters in court who were heavily involved in Dittman’s life.

Mr Ygoa-McKeown said Dittman rarely drinks and was out for a friend’s birthday on the night of the attack. He has only drunk alcohol once since being charged.

The court heard the 21-year-old was close to finishing his carpentry apprenticeship when it was terminated after his boss found out about his court case.

Jyrah James Dittman had several supporters in the public gallery during his sentence. Picture: Patrick Woods

Dittman has since found permanent work as a roofer and showed remorse for his actions in a letter of apology to the court.

“You’re such a good example on why young men shouldn’t go out and be physical,” Judge Rosengren said.

“One punch can kill, and if this man had fallen back and hit his head and died, rather than a broken his jaw, you’d be standing here on a murder charge.”

Judge Rosengren put his supporters at ease in her submissions by telling them Dittman was not going to jail on Monday, which prompted a large sigh of relief from friends and family.

She accepted it was out of character for the 21-year-old and could tell he was sorry for his crime which caused a significant amount of angst to him and his family.

Dittman pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm and was jailed for two years, but it was suspended immediately for three years.

He must also pay $5000 compensation to the victim.