Wayne Young sentenced in Bendigo County Court over bashing son in violent public assault outside local pub

A violent thug who brutally bashed his son outside a Bendigo pub, kicking him to the head multiple times and leaving him unconscious, told paramedics his son was “just being a f---wit”.

Wayne Young, Bendigo father of-three will spend four months behind bars for the “brutal, savage” beating of his son outside a regional pub, where he kicked his son to the head multiple times.

A Bendigo man who “brutally” bashed his son unconscious outside a pub after a boozy night out told paramedics his son was “just being a f---wit”.

Wayne Young, 54, was sentenced in the Bendigo County Court on Friday after pleading guilty to charges of recklessly causing injury and reckless conduct endangering injury in March.

The father-of-three will spend four months behind bars and complete a 12 month community corrections order for the December 2023 assault, which saw him punch and kick his 29-year-old son unconscious outside the Barclay Hotel on View St.

During Young’s sentencing, Judge Rosemary Carlin said it was “obvious” he was in an “absolute rage”.

Young was sentenced in the Bendigo Court on November 1. Picture: Julieanne Strachan

“You punched him with a closed fist to his head, knocking him to the ground,” she said.

“You forcefully kicked him to the head at least twice … yelling at him to get up.”

The court heard Young told paramedics his unconscious son was “just being a f---wit”, before denying being drunk when his daughter arrived at the scene.

Justice Carlin said Young’s behaviour was “unremorseful” and “entitled”.

“You blamed him for having tried to hit you,” she said.

“The fact you are his father does not give you an entitlement to do what you did.”

The court heard Young’s son woke up in the ambulance while being taken to hospital.

His son has since forgiven him, making a statement to the court saying Young’s offending was “very out of character”.

“He said you have apologised on multiple occasions,” Judge Carlin said.
“I accept the attitude you displayed during the body-worn camera footage was reflective of your intoxication, not your attitude when sober.”

Young will spend four months behind bars for the violent assault.

The court heard Young was arrested and interviewed by police, where he admitted to having “eight or nine pints” prior to the altercation.

Judge Carlin said “no other sentence other than a term of imprisonment” was appropriate for the offending.

“Alcohol fuelled violence on public streets is too common and your offending is too serious,” she said.

“People need to know if they behave as you did on this night they will go to prison.”

Young will spend four months behind bars before having to complete a 12-month community corrections order with 100 hours of unpaid community service.