Sean Francis Quinn: Berrigan man sentenced over assault, property damage

A Berrigan drug user who assaulted a former neighbour and his partner in front of their children claimed he initially only wanted to be their friends.

A Berrigan man assaulted a former neighbour and his partner in a random, drug-fuelled rage that “traumatised” the couples’ young children.

Sean Fancies Quinn, 44, was sentenced to a 14-month intensive corrections order in Albury Local Court on Tuesday after he admitted to entering a home to commit an indictable offence, assaulting a couple and destroying their property.

Court documents state Quinn visited the old neighbour at 10.35pm on January 6 last year because he “wanted to be friends”.

But his “delusional drug-affected state” meant the visit soon turned sour, and he instead confronted the victim over perceived threats against his family.

The victim noticed Quinn had a ‘glazed look’ in his eyes so refused to go outside when Quinn asked.

Documents reveal Quinn ran at the victim in the doorway, tackling him against the dining room wall which broken an artwork.

He then grabbed the victim in a headlock and started punching his face, causing him to bleed.

The victim was able to free himself and picked up Quinn, throwing him over the dining room table.

He then restrained Quinn while his partner called police.

Quinn was thrashing violently and kicked the partner in the shins and legs and tried to eye gouge the man.

Quinn yelled: “If you come near my family again I’ll f**king kill you.”

The woman’s screams were heard by their neighbour who helped pin Quinn down.

The couple’s two girls also woke and witnessed the “melee”, leaving them in “hysterics and traumatised”.

During the attack, property in the kitchen and dining room was damaged including the table leg, chair, reading glasses, shoe stand and heater.

In an interview with police, Quinn admitted he had been an IV user of ice since the age of 16 and said he only wanted to visit the victim to ask to be friends.

It is believed he suffers mental health issues due to his prolonged drug use.

Magistrate Sally McLaughlin said Quinn was at the start of a long journey to become clean.

“The road to rehabilitation is a long one, and there are times it will be difficult,” she said.