Toormina’s Damien Robert Allbon faces Coffs Harbour court after attacking stranger who refused him a lift

A drunk man who tried to enter a stranger’s car after a night out in Toormina attacked the woman when he was denied a ride home. Here’s how he was punished.

Damien Robert Allbon assaulted a stranger outside Toormina Hotel after trying to hitch a free ride home.

A drunk man who tried to enter a stranger’s car after a night out in Toormina attacked the woman when he was denied a ride home.

Damien Robert Allbon stumbled out of Toormina Hotel at about 11:30pm on July 27 last year, as captured by CCTV cameras, Coffs Harbour Local Court was told.

The 47-year-old then attempted to enter a car occupied by two women who – in a drunken state of confusion – Allbon believed he knew.

The scared women told Allbon to leave as he tried to hop in the car.

Car park outside Toormina Hotel, where Allbon stumbled to a two woman’s car demanding a lift before assaulting them.

“No buddy, you can’t get in here. Get out,” Allbon was told by the victim.

He refused and asked the women to drive him home.

“You can give me a lift,” Allbon said to them, according to police facts.

The women attempted to reason with Allbon, but he was “too drunk” to listen.

One of the women placed her arm around a car door to stop Allbon, who then swung at her.

The victim managed to lean back and the blow glanced her face.

“What’s your problem? How dare you hit a woman,” the victim’s passenger said.

The Toormina Hotel is a popular venue just south of Coffs Harbour.

The women then entered the Toormina Hotel seeking help, where they spoke to a manager and later obtained CCTV footage.

Allbon pleaded guilty to common assault when he faced the court on January 25.

Defence lawyer Scott James said his client’s unprovoked attack was “out of line”.

The court heard Allbon, from Toormina, had a problem with alcohol but abstained from drinking since the offending.

“He’s been a new man since quitting,” Mr James said.

Mr James said a number of female referees for Allbon were “gobsmacked” when they heard about the incident.

Magistrate Annette Sinclair told Allbon, while reading details of the offending: “The fact the victim managed to get out of the way was no credit to you."

Allbon had several drinks at the Toormina Hotel before approaching the women, asking for a ride home.

“The referees that state what a gentleman you are do not take into account your behaviour when intoxicated,” she said.

Ms Sinclair spoke of drinking often being used as an excuse for aggressive behaviour.

“The community is sick and tired of people who come along and say ‘I wouldn't have done it if I wasn't drinking’,” she said.

The court heard Allbon was seeking anger management counselling and treatment to address alcohol use.

Ms Sinclair warned him: “If you commit another matter of violence, you’ll face jail.”

Allbon was convicted, placed on a 12 month community corrections order and fined $1000.