Jayme William Kennedy, 22, sentenced for bashing man over free drinks

A bayside owner of a roof tiling and restoration business has faced court after he beat a man to a pulp because he refused to shout him freebies at a pub.

A bayside owner of a roof tiling and restoration business has faced court after he beat a man to a pulp after he refused to shout him freebies at a pub.

A bayside owner of a roof and tiling restoration business has faced court after he drunkenly bashed another man who refused to buy his drinks for him.

Alexandra Hills resident, Jayme William Kennedy, 22, pleaded guilty in Cleveland Magistrates Court on Thursday, February 16, to one count of assault occasioning bodily harm.

The court heard Kennedy was at the Alexandra Hills Hotel on June 29 last year when he assaulted a stranger who would not buy him free drinks.

“The victim told police that Jayme was persistently asking him to shout him drinks throughout the night,” the police prosecutor said.

“He refused to buy him drinks, as he didn’t know him.

“He said he felt uncomfortable shouting someone he didn’t know drinks.

“The defendant said if he wouldn’t buy him drinks he would come and bash him.

“(Kennedy) then came inside the venue and pushed the victim off his chair.

“He proceeded to punch him four to five times on the side of the head with a closed fist.

“From what you can see there, your honour, it’s just a completely unprovoked attack.

“(The victim) was inside that venue minding his own business and the statement clearly indicates that if he wasn’t going to buy this man drinks he was going to get assaulted.”

Kennedy’s lawyer, Nathan Laing, said his client made a stupid mistake while intoxicated.

“His family are aware of the offending and are labelling his actions as idiotic and that he will need to take responsibility for his actions,” Mr Laing said.

“He had consumed several alcoholic drinks and does not recall asking for drinks.

“He offers no excuse or rationale as to his actions.

“This is a stupid drunken action by Mr Kennedy.”

Magistrate Deborah Vasta said Kennedy’s actions could have had more severe repercussions.

“You may not realise this but these things can affect people for a very long time,” Ms Vasta said.

“People develop PTSD and he may not be able to go back to that club again.

“It can completely alter their life and their joy and happiness.

“I’ve seen the footage and just a few split seconds of drunken mindlessness and you could have potentially changed the course of your life.

“The consequences could have been so much worse so you’re very lucky.”

Kennedy was ordered to pay $2000 restitution to the victim and received a good behaviour bond of $600 for 12 months.

No convictions were recorded.