Georgie Marks and Jack Pearman jailed for screwdriver assault at Nelson Bay

A Port Stephens couple spent the night drinking and socialising before they violently set apon a man, where he was brutally stabbed eight times with a screwdriver. Read the details.

Marks, being taken inside Raymond Terrace police station after being arrested over the screwdriver stabbing at Nelson Bay on May 13, 2022. Picture: NSW Police.

A Port Stephens couple spent the night drinking and socialising before they violently set apon a man in an “unprovoked” attack, where he was brutally stabbed eight times with a screwdriver.

The court heard Georgie Marks, 27, and Jack Pearman, 28, jumped the victim from behind after they saw him peering through a car window at Donald St, Nelson Bay in the early hours of March 13 last year.

The couple were having an argument out on the street at around 1.30am when they saw the 41-year-old who had arrived on the back of a motorbike.

The court heard the victim then felt a “pop” in his back after both Marks and Pearman launched at him, at one stage he was curled up on the ground with Marks on top of him, and was kicked and punched.

Marks after being arrested. Picture: NSW Police.

Police facts said several others became involved trying to break up the brawl but the court heard the duo continued going after him.

CCTV footage also captured audio of Marks yelling, “Jack Pearman is my f**king man, don’t mess with Georgie Marks”.

The victim was stabbed in the back eight times with a screwdriver and after he eventually fled in a car, he was treated by a friends mother who was a nurse before paramedics arrived and he was flown to the John Hunter Hospital.

He suffered eight small wounds to the back, his ribs were fractured, and he suffered two collapsed lungs, although the court heard these injuries were non-life threatening and he was able to recover from them.

A street search by police following the attack uncovered a screwdriver, which was sent for forensic examination and DNA was then linked to Marks.

More than a week later the couple were arrested at Raymond Terrace and charged.

In Newcastle District Court on Friday the couple appeared in person as they were sentenced on one count of reckless wounding in company.

While the pair were set to head to trial having pleaded not guilty to a more serious charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, negotiations saw a plea of guilty to the lesser charge.

The Crown told the court it was an “unprovoked” and “unexplained” attack and their was no evidence of remorse from both offenders regarding the impact and injuries to the victim.

Judge Peter McGrath agreed the assault was “quite vicious” and “aggressive” and the pair continued to attack the 41-year-old despite him trying to get away, and the intervention of friends.

He told the court it was clear the Crown was unable to prove the identity of the person who caused the multiple stab wounds, but it appeared Marks was the “aggressor” and was rather vocal during the assault.

The court heard at the time of the offence, Marks was still using drug and had been excessively drinking, while Pearman also suffered from alcohol misuse disorder.

Both were sentenced to two years jail, Marks received a non-parole period of 16 months, while Pearman a non-parole of 15 months.