Ricardo Da Silva sentenced for punching stranger 20 times in Rockdale home

A father viciously assaulted a random stranger – punching him in the face 20 times – during a drug and alcohol fuelled “fit of jealousy”, a court has heard.

Ricardo Da Silva, 37, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm and damaging property and was sentenced in Sutherland Local Court. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

A father has avoided jail after he viciously assaulted a random stranger – punching him in the face 20 times – during a drug and alcohol-fuelled “fit of jealousy”, a court has heard.

Ricardo Rodrigo Da Silva, 37, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm and damaging property and was sentenced in Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday.

Agreed facts said the victim was working and listening to music in his garage at his Rockdale home on April 24, 2022 when he heard multiple loud bangs about 10.30pm.

As soon as the door opened, Da Silva grabbed hold of the man, who he did not know, by the shoulders and pushed him into a large pile of boxes, causing him to fall onto his back.

Da Silva punched the man in the face 10 to 15 times causing significant pain and bruising to his lip, cheeks and eyes.

Da Silva was sentenced on Tuesday.

The victim felt he lost consciousness momentarily before he was pushed again and fell off the pile of the boxes onto his car where he sustained cuts to his forearms and his tyre guard was scratched.

During the assault, Da Silva repeatedly yelled “where is Julia? I know she is here” but the victim did not know anyone named Julia.

Da Silva walked onto a neighbouring driveway where he began pacing and yelling incoherently to himself.

The victim said to Da Silva, “you just assaulted me. I don’t even know who Julia is. Where are you going?”

Da Silva then pushed the man onto the ground causing him to hit the back of his head on the brick driveway before he punched the man five more times in the face.

The victim followed Da Silva who walked to a nearby home of a woman, who was a friend of Da Silva’s former partner.

The woman told the victim the man’s name was Ricky before the victim returned to his home.

Police arrived a short time later and the victim was taken to St George Hospital.

He sustained soft tissue injuries and a mild concussion.

In court, Da Silva’s lawyer Paul Reynolds said his client was “very intoxicated” from a variety of drugs and alcohol.

He said Da Silva thought the victim was having an affair with his partner and he became jealous.

Mr Reynolds said Da Silva had children from previous relationships and was in a new relationship with a blended family.

The court heard Da Silva worked in various jobs in construction, as a removalist and in spray painting.

Mr Reynolds acknowledged Da Silva had a poor criminal record of violence and reflected his long history of drug abuse.

The lawyer said Da Silva voluntarily checked himself into a drug rehabilitation centre for 12 months which he had since successfully completed.

Mr Reynolds said his client had also re-engaged with his Hillsong church, adding he was remorseful and showed insight into his behaviour particularly the link between his drug abuse and violence.

The court heard Da Silva had family support in Newcastle where he was now living; he had completed courses and drug rehabilitation programs; and was abstinent from drugs and alcohol since the assault.

Magistrate Jillian Kiely said the assault was serious because it happened at the man’s home in a “fit of jealousy”.

“This significant assault was perpetrated on an unknown man for no apparent justification nor reason,” she said.

“He was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“This was unprovoked, substance-fuelled violence and it was fortunate the victim was not more seriously injured.”
Ms Kiely acknowledged the significant rehabilitation Da Silva had undertaken, noting he was on a “brighter trajectory” and therefore allowed him to serve a jail sentence in the community.

Da Silva was placed on an intensive correction order for 18 months where he must abstain from alcohol and illegal drugs, continue his rehabilitation and complete 100 hours of community service.