A Logan teenager punched and kicked two men to protect his sister from indigenous racial abuse

A Logan teenager prominent in the Indigenous community has faced court over an assault he said was in defence of his sister being racially abused.

In an effort to protect his sister from racial bullying, a 19-year-old Loganlea man violently attacked another man and their son, stomping and kicking them while on the ground, a court has heard.

Isaiah Verba pleaded guilty in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Friday, September 23 to one count of assault occasioning bodily harm and one count of common assault.

The court heard that Verba, an Indigenous man, was defending his sister from racially-motivated bullying and attacked two men in Marsden on July 1, 2022.

The court heard Verba punched one of the men which caused the victim to fall to the ground and hit his head.

While the victim was on the ground, Verba stomped and kicked him.

Isaiah Verba assaulted two men to protect his sister from racial bullying.

The court heard Verba was 18 at the time of the offending, had no prior criminal history and told the court he was a very strong supporter of his family and proud of his culture.

The court heard the attacks were out of character and Verba was remorseful and embarrassed to be in court.

Magistrate Mark Howden said Verba needed to be an example to others in his indigenous community.

“His community needs young fellas to do the right thing so they can help others when they get older,” said Magistrate Howden.

“If he behaves this way he will be taken out of the community and put in custody.

“He was probably very angry about how his sister was being treated, but this is not the way to go about it.”

Verba was sentenced to a probation order and no conviction was recorded.