Jai Abberton: Bra Boy sentenced for Maroubra rock attack

Notorious Bra Boy Jai Abberton has opened up in court about his mental health battles and struggles with heroin. It comes as he faced sentence for a nasty rock attack.

A well-known Bra Boy has told a magistrate “I’m trying to turn my life around” after fronting court for throwing rocks at a victim and his car in Maroubra.

Jai Abberton, 47, starred in hit documentary Bra Boys: Blood is Thicker than Water in 2007 which followed the revered surf gang and featured his brothers Sunny and Koby.

The Maroubra resident and former pro surfer appeared in Waverley Local Court on Wednesday to be sentenced for a string of offences related to two bizarre incidents in October and November last year, both in Maroubra.

Dressed in a shirt and chinos, he told the court he would be representing himself and he pleaded guilty to the charges.

Jai Abberton outside court on Wednesday

The agreed facts stated Abberton threw two rocks at a man following an argument on October 23, one of which hit the victim.

Police allege in the agreed facts co-accused Kirri Argus – Abberton’s girlfriend at the time – also threatened the victim with a taser.

A few weeks later on November 14, Abberton threw a rock at the victim’s parked car smashing the rear window.

“(Abberton) then picked up a large stone paver from the victim’s driveway and lobbed it on the roof of the victim’s car,” the agreed facts stated.

Jai Abberton pictured at a previous court hearing.

The incident was caught on CCTV and Abberton was later arrested along with co-accused Argus.

Abberton told the court he had been receiving professional help for mental health issues and had previously been diagnosed with bipolar.

“My record is atrocious,” he conceded to the court. “But I have remained pretty much out of trouble since 2012.”

He said no-one was injured in the incidents and he was no longer seeing the co-accused.

The court also heard he had battled a heroin addiction in the past and he was attending narcotics anonymous.

“I’m trying to turn my life around,” he said.

Jai Abberton leaving court on Wednesday.

Magistrate Carolyn Huntsman convicted him on all counts including destroy and damage property and common assault. He was also placed on a community correction order for two years.

“If there is any repeat of this behaviour a magistrate is likely to jail you,” Magistrate Huntsman said.

“The only reason that is not happening today is because of everything you have done to improve your mental health.”

Abberton was found not guilty in 2005 of murdering standover man Tony Hines, following a high-profile court case.

In 2012, he was jailed for nine months for assaulting police in Byron Bay.

Co-accused Argus has been charged with attempt stalk/intimidate intend fear of harm, enter building/land with intent, and larceny. She has not entered a plea and her matter remains before the court.