Ian Brown sentenced for assaulting and stabbing housemate in neck with broken bottle

A domestic violence offender who stabbed his housemate in the neck because he hated homosexuals has learned his fate. Read what happened in court

The court heard Ian Brown stabbed his former housemate with a broken bottle in the neck because he was gay. Istock photo/generic

A Newcastle man with a long history of domestic violence has stabbed his former housemate in the neck with a broken bottle before ordering him to clean up the bloody mess himself, in an appalling gay-hate crime.

The court heard Ian Edwin Weston Brown, 49, of Waratah lived in a share house with three others before becoming aware one of them was homosexual.

The court heard his hatred for gay people instigated a fight with his former housemate in May 2021, where Brown stormed into the victims bedroom, before he punched him to the head and kicked him a number of times.

The court heard he also broke a bottle and used the broken pieces to lunge at him and stab him in the neck.

While the man was “bleeding profusely”, he grabbed some boiling water and threw it on the ground, ordering him to clean up the mess, calling him a “HIV faggot”.

Brown fronted Newcastle District Court on Wednesday where he was sentenced to an ICO. Supplied Amy Ziniak

Before Brown was set to go to trial over the attack, he pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and reckless wounding, with a charge of intimidation to be taken into account on sentencing.

Brown fronted Newcastle District Court on Wednesday where the court heard his offence was aggravated by his hatred of homosexuals.

It was revealed he had a lengthy criminal history of domestic violence and repetitive offending had seen him receive several sentences of imprisonment over the years.

Brown’s defence barrister claimed her client was “significantly affected by alcohol” during the offences and regretted his actions, willing to undertake a supervised plan to assist him in his rehabilitation.

“He’s got to the age of 49 where his life is a complete mess. He is at crisis point in his life where he can continue and go downhill further or have some assistance and get on track,” she said.

But the Crown highlighted Brown’s significant harm to the victim both physically and mentally and the high risk of reoffending, citing he wasn’t remorseful and had placed blame on the victim.

Judge Roy Ellis directed words at Brown about his behaviour, suggesting he had drug, alcohol and anger problems which he couldn’t control.

“Lifes not all about you,” Judge Ellis said.

“It’s not for you to make a judgement on someone else’s sexuality.”

“You can’t control your anger when it comes to someone you’re not fearful of.”

He noted to the court Brown’s sentencing assessment report (SAR) lacked empathy for his victim and insight into his offending but felt rehabilitation out of custody would be the most appropriate action.

Brown was sentenced to a two year, three month imprisonment which is to be served by way of an intensive correction order (ICO), and was also ordered to complete 200 hours of community service.

“If he’s not rehabilitated I have no doubt he’s likely to return to court with similar charges,” Judge Ellis explained.