Reginald Edwards: Gippsland man sentenced over brutal attack

A Gippsland thug has been jailed after he assaulted his victim with a cushion, a bottle of soft drink and his fists, a court has heard.

A Gippsland man assaulted his victim with a cushion, a bottle of soft drink and his fists over cash and drugs, a court has heard.

Reginald Edwards, 34, was sentenced to eight months jail in the County Court on Monday after he earlier pleaded guilty to charges of armed robbery and intentionally causing injury.

The court heard on March 18, 2021, Reginald Edwards, 34, and friend beat and stole from a man on his property, after being asked to leave in search of “drugs” and “money”.

CCTV footage from the victim’s property shows the “unsavoury” attack which led to judge Michael McInerney handing down the jail term and a two-year community corrections order.

The court heard, Edwards arrived at the victim’s proprety about 10 minutes after his mate, and at first socialised with the victim.

But according to court documents, the two accused began acting “erratically” when the fourth man left and the victim said: “I’m going to have to ask you to leave”.

Edwards was seen holding a metal jemmy bar from then until he left the property.

It was heard Edwards initially accused his mate of damaging the victim’s computer, to which the friend and the victim said something that angered Edwards before Edwards and the firend turned on the victim.

The victim asked why they were “turning on” him and Edwards responded: “Because. You got drugs”.

The two made demands for cash and said they woulnd’t leave until they “get f---n’ money” and assaulted the victim with a cushion, a half-full 1.25L soft drink bottle and their fists.

Mr McInerney said Edwards attempted to “protect” the victim but the attack was “disappointing” and “unsavoury”.

“I’m disappointed at this matter and how the victim was treated in his own home,” he said.

The CCTV footage also showed Edwards rummaging through the victim’s belongings and leaving the premises with his iPad, medication and cash.

Mr McInerney said Edwards needed to “give up” drugs and alcohol.

He also questioned Edwards’ ability to rehabilitate.

“If you want to have a chance in life of looking after your children and being a good, functioning member of your community, you must give up use of drugs and grog,” he McInerney said.

“My problem is do you have the make-up to do that?”

Mr McInerney said if he continued to abuse substances, he would be “continually” behind bars.

Edwards had already served 176 days at the time of sentence.