Ice addict jailed for grievous injury after he put his brother in a wheelchair following stabbing

A 22-year-old ice addict has been locked up for the vicious stabbing of his younger brother which left the teen with significant neurological damage for life.

A 22-year-old man will have to live with the fact he put his younger brother in a wheelchair, after he stabbed him three times while trying to score ice.

Raceview man Neville Conlon was supported by his mother and older brother when he appeared in the Beenleigh District Court, on the corner of Kent and James Streets, on Wednesday.

Conlon was sentenced to three years’ prison after he pleaded guilty to a single count of grievous bodily harm.

The court heard the defendant was 19 years old on February 29, 2020, when he and his then 18-year-old brother hit the streets of Boronia Heights on a quest for crystal methamphetamine, also known as meth or ‘ice’, about 6.15am.

Failing to score, an argument erupted between the two with Conlon pushing his younger brother over, causing him to fall and hit his head.

While his victim lay on the ground, Conlon used a kitchen knife he carried for protection to stab his brother in the abdomen, the back of his neck and face, according to the prosecution.

The teen suffered a 2cm stab wound to the abdomen which perforated his stomach, his small intestine and his colon.

He further suffered a 1cm wound to his cheek and bleeding on his brain.

Raceview man Neville Conlon, 22, leaves Beenleigh District Court. Picture: Marcel Baum.

It was the stab to his neck that caused the grievous injury, lacerating his spinal cord, the court was told.

Conlon’s brother required emergency and follow-up surgery but lost the use of his right leg and arm, now required a wheelchair and was unlikely to fully recover, the court heard.

Crown prosecutor Samantha O’Rourke noted the serious offending was aggravated for occurring after previous violence, for which Conlon had been sentenced to prison but granted immediate parole release.

Conlon’s Defence barrister said his client had shown immediate remorse, had dialled triple-0 himself and waited for police, to whom he made full admissions.

The defendant’s behaviour was put down to meth being a “terrible, terrible drug” which had led to an “aberrant” act on the day, according to the defence.

The court heard Conlon’s brother still supported him, despite the ordeal.

No victim impact statement was provided.

Conlon’s mother addressed the court to plead for him not to be jailed, for he would find “no benefit” from it, she said.

It was not enough for judge Jennifer Rosengren who noted Conlon was “very, very lucky” for his brother to still be alive.

Conlon’s previous violent offending, poor performance on probation and a letter of support from an Aboriginal elder were taken into account during sentencing.

He was sentenced to three years’ prison, of which he must serve 12 months.

With 78 days pre-sentence custody declared as time served he was given a March 8, 2023 parole release date.