Asitha Ariyagama: ‘Delusional’ suspicions lead to home-visiting doctor rock attack

A man who bashed a home-visiting doctor he assumed was having an affair with his estranged wife will not spend a minute in jail.

A father-of-two has avoided jail after a “savage and brutal attack” on a doctor he suspected was having an affair with his estranged wife.

Asitha Ariyagama, 45, faced the Werribee Magistrates’ Court on Thursday pleading guilty to a charge of intentionally causing injury.

The court heard Ariyagama attended the Point Cook home he shared with his wife on December 11 while the doctor was conducting a home visit.

His wife told the unnamed doctor to leave via the backdoor as she was “in fear” of his reaction to finding another male in the house.

At the time the home solar installation sales representative was suffering from depression stemming from the separation, leading to “angry, delusional thoughts”.

He launched into a “brutal” attack on the doctor down the side of the home, leaving him with serious injuries.

“The accused had picked up a large rock from the front garden and with great force stuck the victim... causing severe injuries to his face,” a summary of the prosecution reads.

The court heard the doctor was rushed to Royal Melbourne Hospital with multiple broken teeth, a broken nose and a fractured eye socket.

Magistrate Mike Wardell described the offending as a “complete over-reaction”.

“There was no suggestion the doctor had done anything untoward,” he said.

“(There was) no suggestion he was having an affair. It seems the doctor was going about his normal business.”

Prosecutors had previously called for a tough sentence for Ariyagama at an earlier court date on March 28, saying doctors performing home visits were placed at risk.

“Although they don’t come under the emergency services provisions, it’s clear there’s a risk when doctors and nurses perform home visits,” the prosecutor said.

“They hold a very important job in the community and should be protected.”

Ariyagama’s lawyer, Samuel Russo, told the court his client was “highly remorseful” for the offending and had written a letter to the court apologising for his actions.

“Since the offending he’s engaged in counselling services and is on a waiting list for a men’s behavioural change program,” he said.

Mr Russo told the court the relationship between Ariyagama and his now ex-wife had stabilised, and she had written a letter supporting him to the court.

Ariyagama was sentenced to an 18 month community corrections order and will have to complete 250 hours of community service.

“Although there were a number of stressors in your life that gave rise to this behaviour, it doesn’t excuse it,” Magistrate Wardell said.

“In sentencing, I take into note the effort put in place to address your behaviour.”