Jett William Heckel, 18, pleads guilty to Byron Bay assault
An 18-year-old North Coast man has faced court after a trip to the beach resulted in him exiting his BMW and launching a vicious roadside assault on an older man.
Police & Courts
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An 18-year-old North Coast man has faced court after a trip to the beach resulted in him exiting his BMW and launching a vicious roadside attack on an older man.
Jett William Heckel, of East Ballina, was sentenced on Monday at Byron Bay Local Court after being charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He had previously pleaded guilty.
Police facts state the victim, 56, was walking with a friend along Lighthouse Rd, Byron Bay about 7pm on February 28.
Heckel was driving a BMW on the same road to Wategos Beach when he passed the pair and shouted at them for walking too close to the road.
A short time later the victim saw the BMW driving past again.
“The victim picked up a lime and tossed it at the car hitting the window,” police facts state.
Heckel stopped the car, got out and approached the victim before launching an attack.
Police state Heckel swung his fist at the victim’s head, missing once before landing a second punch to the man’s jaw.
“The victim tried to grab Heckel to restrain him in a headlock, but Heckel wrestled out of it and put the victim in a headlock, dragging him to the ground.”
Heckel’s friend tried to pull him off but failed as Heckel hit the victim in the head twice with his fist while the man remained on the ground.
The victim’s friend pushed Heckel away and he fled the scene.
Police were then contacted by the victim who gave a statement.
He presented to the station with a cut to his head, elbow and knee and his nose was swollen. He also told police he felt pain in his jaw, cheek and nose.
Police managed to track down Heckel’s address following witness footage provided.
When asked why he attacked the man, Heckel told police the victim had thrown an object at his car and that he had to swerve to avoid the pair walking on the road.
Defence lawyer Tracey Randall argued Heckel was forced to drive on the other side of the road to avoid hitting the victim and his friend.
“He experienced a loss of control and was under stress at work,” she said.
“He was suddenly let go from an apprenticeship, but has a good work ethic and is looking for mechanic work.
“He is remorseful, this was out of character behaviour and he had no previous criminal history.”
While Magistrate Karen Stafford accepted Heckel lost control and said the victim was wrong to throw a lime at a moving car, he was a “young hothead in a BMW”.
“The pedestrians had no alternative than to walk on the road, as a driver Heckel had a duty of care to them,” she said.
“The assault itself included Heckel swinging a fist twice and hitting the man again when he was on the ground.
“I take a very dim view of someone who attacks someone when they are on the ground after they were already hit on the jaw.”
Ms Stafford said there was a need to stop Heckel from reoffending and recognise the harm done to the victim.
She sentenced him to a 12-month supervised community corrections order with community service work. A conviction has been recorded.
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