Tanner Mark Jensen convicted at Lismore court after rural gathering ended in stabbing

A North Coast man who put half a dozen stab wounds into a drinking buddy’s jaw, neck and face causing him to need an emergency tracheostomy has avoided jail. Read why.

Police found the 18cm wooden-handled knife with Jensen's bloody fingerprints soon after the assault.

A Northern Rivers man now living in Redland Bay in Queensland has pleaded guilty to causing reckless grievous bodily harm.

Tanner Mark Jensen, 27, appeared before Judge Jonathan Priestley in Lismore District Court on Friday.

The court heard Jensen had been drinking with a group including the victim, at the victim’s property in northern NSW, on April 16, 2020.

A confrontation developed, and Jensen pushed the man, who punched him in retaliation.

A full-on fight ensued, and Jensen picked up an 18cm-long wooden-handled serrated knife which presented when fishing gear was knocked over.

A knife similar to the one used by Jensen when he repeatedly stabbed another man.

He used this to stab the other man in the arm and multiple times to the head and neck.

Due to the life threatening nature of his injuries, the victim required an emergency tracheostomy, the court heard.

Jensen then ran from the property, yelling “self defence” and that he was “going back and doing the job properly”.

The court heard there were also shouts of “Gonna shoot you all” and “I have a gun”.

Lismore District Court.

Judge Priestley said the reference to “doing the job properly” made it plain it was Jensen yelling.

When police approached, Jensen said the victim had punched him “all over the face” and “it was self defence”.

Judge Priestley said the stabbing was not a reasonable response in the circumstances.

The court heard Jensen suffered a range of mental health conditions.

After being convicted of assaulting a former partner, the court heard Jensen used that as a key motivator to turn his life around.

Defence solicitor Mr Cranney told the court Jensen had a troubled life coloured by alcohol, cannabis and methamphetamine use.

He said Jensen had distanced from his family and placed himself in a rehab centre in Qld.

Judge Priestley said it’s a “sad demonstration” that Jensen believes he must stay away from members of his family by moving interstate, and away from their “toxic influence”.

Jensen was convicted and sentenced to 27 months’ jail but under a finding of special circumstances, was released on parole on November 3 to serve out the remainder of his sentence.