Taaj Purdey: Pearcedale man bashes former friend for stealing his girl

A man bashed his former mate in San Remo after catching him doing the unthinkable with his girlfriend, a court has heard.

Taaj Purdey was charged at Korumburra Magistrates’ Court. Picture: Generic

A Pearcedale man bashed his former friend after he caught him having “intimate relations” with his girlfriend, a court has heard.

Taaj Purdey, 20, pleaded guilty at Korumbura Magistrates’ Court to one count of recklessly causing injury.

The court heard Purdey and the victim had previously been close friends but their friendship broke down in 2017 after the victim had “intimate relations” with Purdey’s girlfriend at the time.

Purdey attended a social event in Cape Woolamai on November 28, 2020 where he drank more than 20 alcoholic drinks.

Purdey and some friends visited a San Remo property where the victim was at about 3am on November 29.

The court heard Purdey had the intention of confronting the victim.

When the victim answered the door, Purdey punched the man and a fight followed.

Purdey was witnessed punching and pulling at the victim’s shirt.

When the victim was on the ground Purdey punched him multiple times and chipped his tooth.

Purdey’s lawyer Rebecca Fairthorne said the man was employed full-time as a stonemason and landscaper.

“He has accepted that the matter is extremely serious,” Ms Fairthorne said.

“He was immediately remorseful.”

Magistrate John Bentley said the man drunk a lot of alcohol on the night.

Purdey was given a good behaviour bond for a period of 12 months without conviction.

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