Brayden Scott convicted for punching father, hospitalising family friend in drunken fight

A 22-year-old from Sancrox has been convicted after a barbecue erupted into a drunken argument at his family’s home. See why he escaped jail time over the offence.

A man has avoided returning to jail after punching his father and hospitalising a family friend.

This is not 22-year-old auto smash repairman Brayden Scott’s first offence involving alcohol, with Magistrate Georgina Darcy recognising him from an earlier police pursuit.

The current matter occurred on the evening of Friday, March 11, when the Scott family hosted a barbecue with alcohol at their Sancrox home.

Brayden, his Mum Alayna, father Bradley, and Bradley’s friend Matthew Blain were among those present.

Around 1am, Brayden was downstairs play fighting with a child when he became too forceful and they started crying.

The child ran upstairs and, when Bradley tried to find out what happened, was too upset to tell him.

Bradley went to talk to his son about the incident but Brayden became verbally abusive when confronted.

Bradley left and his son followed him out on to the veranda where words were exchanged.

The argument escalated and Brayden grabbed hold of his dad, pushing him back into the brick wall causing a slight cut to his head.

Mr Blain attempted to intervene by pushing Brayden off his father, but was met by punches from the younger Scott.

Brayden then grabbed Blain around the throat.

According to the agreed police facts, Bradley recalls having his arm across Brayden’s throat on the ground, trying to calm him down, but at no stage blocked his airways.

He eventually let his son get up and Brayden went back to his room.

At some stage Alayna was also punched in the face, but there is no way to know who did it, the court heard.

As a result of the fight, Brayden suffered a cut to his lip and nose.

Bradley sustained a small cut above his left eye.

Blain went to hospital with chest pains and possible broken ribs.

Brayden Scott appeared in Port Macquarie Courthouse on Wednesday.

The agreed facts state that Bradley fears for his safety and that of the people who reside in the Sancrox house, due to the accused having “unpredictable behaviour patterns and violent outbursts”.

Brayden was arrested and charged with common assault, but wasn’t given the opportunity to be interviewed on the night due to his level of intoxication being “moderate to severe”.

The young offender’s lawyer, Steve Jensen, described it as a “messy sequence of events” in Port Macquarie Local Court on Wednesday.

The magistrate agreed, labelling it a “most unfortunate” incident.

“This didn’t have to occur,” Ms Darcy said.

“Regardless of what’s going on in your life, violence is never the answer.”

In his defence submission, Mr Jensen spoke of his client’s efforts towards recovery.

“He’s been with the same auto smash repair business for five years, and his employer describes him as a valued employee,” Mr Jensen said.

“In the past, he’s abided by ICO (Intensive Correction Order) conditions.

“He appears to be in a good position with his partner – he’s moving forward with his life.”

Mr Jensen told the court that, while Brayden does have a criminal record, he has committed very few violent offences.

Ms Darcy took these factors into account, as well as Brayden’s early guilty plea.

“You’re a good worker, and your employer has continued your employment within the confines of losing your licence,” she said.

“But your father won’t put up with this behaviour, especially with minors present.

“You’ve had a short stint in custody before, and you don’t want to end up back there.”

The magistrate convicted and sentenced Brayden to a Community Correction Order with supervision for a period of nine months.