Waterford’s Jack Avimeleki-Regan narrowly avoids prison for cowardly attack on teen

A Logan teen was left coughing up blood, traumatised and with a broken jaw after a father’s gutless coward punch, a court has heard.

A young Waterford father who brutally punched a teenager in the face from behind has narrowly escaped jail for an attack which fractured the victim’s jaw twice, knocked out teeth and left him coughing up blood.

Jack Avimeleki-Regan, 27, pleaded guilty in Beenleigh District Court on October 28 to one count of grievous bodily harm.

The court heard that on February 29, 2020 at 10pm, the 19-year-old victim was drinking at his friend’s house at Heritage Park when Avimeleki-Regan popped his head over the fence to look at him.

The victim and six other people saw him and decided to follow Avimeleki-Regan.

An argument took place between the men and Avimeleki-Regan shouted “you’re tough coming down here to start s***”.

Jack Avimeleki-Regan, 27.

The court heard the victim then walked away and as he was leaving he heard footsteps, turned around and was struck in the face by Avimeleki-Regan.

The punch knocked the victim over, knocking loose some teeth and made him cough up blood.

As a result, he had two fractures to the jaw, lost feeling in his bottom teeth and required surgery.

The court heard due to the traumatic experience of the attack, he was terrified to leave the house and had several sleepless nights.

When Avimeleki-Regan was first arrested he told police the 19-year-old deserved a broken jaw.

Judge Deborah Holiday KC said it was a close call as to whether actual imprisonment should be served.

“This is clearly very serious offending but it was not a sustained attack but rather a spontaneous act in a volatile situation,” she said.

Avimeleki-Regan was sentenced to two and a half years prison with an immediate parole release date.

A conviction was recorded and he was ordered to pay $5000 in restitution to the victim.