Central Coast teen thug Zayne Taki wins appeals to serve sentence outside jail

A teen thug who called two women “dirty lesbians” while brutally bashing them in the Wollongong CBD has had his full-time jail sentence overturned. Here’s the latest.

Woongarrah man Zayne Taki leaving Wollongong Local Court during his hearing in January. Picture: Dylan Arvela

A teen thug who called two women “dirty lesbians” while brutally bashing them in the Wollongong CBD has had his full-time jail sentence overturned after a judge found his ongoing prospects would be better.

Earlier this year, 19-year-old Zayne Taki was sentenced in Wollongong Local Court to 30 months jail after being found guilty of two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, affray and common assault.

Magistrate Les Mabbutt imposed a non-parole period of 15 months when handing down the sentence in May.

Taki, of the Central Coast, appealed the severity of the sentence in Wollongong District Court in June with Judge Sharon Harris reaching her decision in Sydney District Court on Friday.

Regarding the offending, the court previously heard Taki was involved in an altercation with a man he did not know near the nightclub Heyday in the Wollongong CBD about 1.30am on March 12, 2023.

Two women – who did not know the man or Taki – rushed over to assist the man before the teenager turned on them.

The court viewed confronting footage of Taki knocking one of the women to the ground before punching the other at least seven times in the face.

Zayne Taki punched one of the women at least seven times. Picture: Dylan Arvela

After the horrendous display of violence, Taki fled the scene with a group of friends in a car while his victims required treatment in Wollongong Hospital.

In June, Taki’s mother Kristy Clarke – who the judge described as “doting” – gave evidence about the offender’s autism diagnosis and his “behavioural difficulties and emotional disturbances”.

The mother claimed her son did not know the victims were women, an assertion rebutted by the judge who highlighted Taki called them “dirty lesbians” while attacking them.

Taki’s barrister Bart Vasic asked Judge Harris to consider an intensive correction order, submitting it was in the community’s interest for him not to remain locked up in order for him to appropriately rehabilitate.

In court on Friday, the judge resentenced Taki to a 30-month intensive correction order with a direction to be on home detention at his mother’s Woongarrah address for 15 months.

The judge also ordered Taki complete 100 hours of community service, abstain from alcohol and drugs and not attend a licensed premises other than a restaurant.

Taki is also required to see a psychologist to receive a mental health care plan and comply with any medication prescribed to him.

The offender’s sentence will expire in January, 2027.

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