NT man Daniel Dora sentenced and released for glassing attack

With more than a dozen convictions for violent offending to his name, a Daly River man has been released back into the community after his prison sentence was suspended. What the court heard.

Daniel Dora was sentenced at the NT Supreme Court on Monday. Picture: Zizi Averill

A Daly River man with more than a dozen convictions for violent offending has been released back into the community after his prison sentence was suspended.

On Monday afternoon, Daniel Dora, 33, was sentenced for recklessly endangering serious harm.

The court heard that on the night of December 12, 2023, Dora and his co-offender, Leif Marranya, followed a 48 year-old man from a service station ATM.

When the man was alone, Dora struck the victim from behind with a large glass bottle, knocking the victim to the ground.

The victim tried to shield himself with his hand, but was struck again by Dora.

The victim lost consciousness, at which point Marranya stole $300 from the victim before the pair fled.

The assault left the victim with a fractured eye socket, a displaced nasal bone and lacerations requiring stitches.

Dora was arrested three days later in relation to other offending and has been in custody since.

According to a statement tendered to the court, the assault has had a “profound and lasting impact” on the victim’s mental health.

“He continues to live with invisible wounds,” Justice Sonia Brownhill said.

“Every day since the assault, he has struggled with anxiety and fear that this could happen to him again.”

Since the glassing attack, the victim continues to feel “powerless and broken”, the court heard.

It was heard the victim now feels “powerless and broken”.

“His children have now seen their dad fearful, broken and withdrawn, something that he never wanted them to see,” Justice Brownhill said.

“He also says that, as a result of the assault, he suffered significant financial losses.”

The court heard Dora, raised in Daly River, had experienced a “traumatic” upbringing which included a shortage of food and domestic violence.

Having spent six of his last 10 years in prison, Dora’s “extensive criminal record” was read to the court.

Dora has 16 convictions for aggravated assault, three convictions for assaulting a worker and one conviction for assaulting police.

He also has four convictions for being armed or threatening someone.

He also has various convictions for unlawful entry, stealing and property damage, as well as nine breaches of bail to his name.

It was heard Dora and his biological father reunited in prison after having not seen each other for more than a decade.

Justice Sonia Brownhill said alcohol is a problem for Dora.

Justice Brownhill noted Dora had demonstrated “periods of time” of “living a law abiding life”.

“I’m sure you want to be a good role model for your children, and you want to be present in their lives as they grow up,” she said.

“In light of all these matters, I consider that your prospects of rehabilitation are little better than poor, but (it is) dependent on you not abusing alcohol.”

Dora was sentenced to two years, four months imprisonment, backdated to April 15, 2024.

The sentence was immediately suspended, with Dora set to depart prison on Tuesday morning.

For the remainder of his suspended sentence, Dora will be supervised by a parole and probation office, must reside at a designated location near Wadeye and complete a rehabilitation program.

He is also not to consume alcohol and must pay $2500 compensation to the victim.

Marranya has pleaded guilty to recklessly endangering serious harm and theft and will be sentenced on June 29.

Originally published as NT man Daniel Dora sentenced and released for glassing attack