Andrew Sorrensen: Marrickville man sentenced over assault on 412 bus Sydney

A refusal to give up a seat and racist remarks sparked an all out brawl on a bus in inner city Sydney, with threats to gauge eyes out and 13 punches thrown to the head.

Andrew Sorrensen leaving Newtown Local Court.

A refusal to give up a seat and racist remarks sparked an all out brawl on a bus in inner city Sydney, involving threats to gauge eyes out and 13 punches thrown to the head.

Marrickville man Andrew Sorrensen, who also goes by the name Andrew Cruz, fronted Newtown Local Court after pleading guilty to common assault.

Agreed police facts tendered to court lay out how on August 19 2022, Sorrensen found himself locked in a brawl soon after leaving a Camperdown convenience store about 2pm and boarding a bus.

The court heard the 41-year-old made his way to the back of the bus and sat down behind the victim, who was wearing headphones and listening to music.

“A short time later, (Sorrensen) waved his right hand in front of the face of the victim to get his attention,” court documents state.

Andrew Sorrensen leaving Newtown Local Court.

“The victim took his headphones off, and (Sorrensen) said ‘Where is my respect?’ and ‘Why didn’t you make space for me? I am 56-years-old’.”

The court heard the victim then told the 41-year-old — who was claiming to be older than he was — there were other seats in the bus he could sit in.

Andrew Sorrensen (left) leaving Newtown Local Court with his lawyer (right).

According to police facts, Sorrensen then became “angry and furious” and started yelling racist remarks towards the victim, who was an indigenous Australian.

He also threatened to gouge the victim’s eyes out while shuffling closer along the seat and using his left hand to slap the back of the man’s head, a court heard.

“The victim felt immediate pain … (and) said to the accused, “f**k off” … and the accused attempted to slap the victim again,” police facts state.

When the victim tried to escape from the situation, Sorrensen grabbed his waist, reached out towards the man’s neck and pushed him onto an empty seat.

In response, the victim then pushed Sorrensen away and landed 13 punches on his head in an act of self-defence.

The brawl continued with the 41-year-old Marrickville man grabbing the victim’s upper body, in an attempt to push his head down and reach for his eyes, as the victim attempted to push Sorrensen off, grab his own bag and leave the bus.

Soon after leaving the bus, the victim reported the assault at Newtown police station and photographs of his injuries were taken.

Just before 8am on October 31, 2022, police arrested Sorrensen at Marrickville. On his arrest, he told officers: “I will kill myself after (I am) released from custody”. He was then taken to hospital.

In court, Sorrensen’s matter was briefly mentioned and his lawyer said his client had suffered 13 strikes to the head.

But Magistrate Lisa Stapleton said the punches were landed in self defence and Sorrensen was already serving a community correction order at the time of the attack.

The matter was adjourned for sentence later this year so Sorrensen will have the opportunity to obtain a sentencing assessment report from Leichhardt Community Corrections.