North Adelaide assault victim Tyson Brady demands action on coward punch laws

A young father living with the effects of a cowardly attack at a North Adelaide venue is demanding the state act on its laws around assaults.

A young father of two living with the lingering effects of an alcohol fuelled attack at an Adelaide licensed venue has lashed the lack of action on coward punch laws in South Australia.

Tyson Brady, 36, was struck twice by a stranger at the bar during a break in his DJ set at a private function at Stacked Social in North Adelaide in November 2022.

Knocked unconscious, the then-34-year-old was left lying on the ground for two hours waiting for an ambulance – a delay doctors later told him potentially reduced the impact of the brain bleed he suffered in the assault.

His attacker pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and was handed a suspended sentence of less than five months, which has now expired.

Tyson Brady, 36, was seriously assaulted at a North Adelaide licensed venue in November 2022, and is demanding the state government toughen its laws around coward punches. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

Mr Brady, from Port Noarlunga, still lives with the effects the attack had on him, his partner and two young children.

“I was actually designated driver, so I was sober, and they did a blood-alcohol test when I got to the hospital as well which came up zeros,” he said.

“I was hit twice, and then obviously hit the ground, and that’s where the impact came from.”

Mr Brady has shared his story for the first time, meeting The Advertiser midmorning on Hindley St just metres from where 20-year-old Jordan Dodd suffered critical injuries in an alleged alcohol-fuelled assault on Saturday night.

Mr Brady was left lying on the ground for two hours waiting for an ambulance. Picture: Supplied

Injuries to Tyson Brady after an assault at a licensed venue in North Adelaide in November 2022. Picture: Supplied

Among the effects Mr Brady still lives with his hypervigilance from the post-traumatic stress of his attack.

“For me personally, like, now I can’t go anywhere without being hypervigilant – like even sitting here on Hindley St, knowing what this street is about and what it’s like, even during the day.

“You still get people wandering around that may have mental health issues, and you don’t know whether they’re going to strike out at any point in time.”

He suffered an extradural haematoma, frontal bone fracture, and a cut on his lip.

His young son and daughter, now aged 11 and 8 respectively, saw his bruised face the next morning, and still have concerns that if they play too rough with him, his brain bleed could erupt.

“I was probably lucky in the fact that an ambulance was called, but I laid on the ground for about two hours and (the ambulance) didn’t come out to it.

“But if I had gotten up, it may have been a different story – increasing the heart rate potentially causing the bleed to get worse, and probably compromising my recovery.

“They were really affected by seeing their father laying in bed for three months.

“If I get hit again, there is a potential that could, you know, reactivate the bleed and it’s still there.”

Mr Brady, from Port Noarlunga, still lives with the effects the attack had on him, his partner and two young children. Picture: Supplied

Mr Brady still lives with his hypervigilance from the post-traumatic stress of his attack. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

Ahead of his attacker being sentenced in the magistrates court, Mr Brady read multiple sentencing remarks to get an understanding of potential penalties.

“Like eight months, 12 months suspended, and that’s not really a deterrence,” he said.

“When they’re getting a suspended sentence for first time offences, that deterrence would be jail time.

“The police prosecutor believes having the potential of going to jail hanging over your head for 18 months is a deterrent but if you’re a first-time offender and you just did it because you felt like it at the time, that’s not going to deter anybody.

“You know you’ve got one free hit.”

He wants South Australia to toughen its laws around coward punch attacks to at least be in line with other states and jurisdictions.

Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia all have tough sentences with actual jail time.

“We should be in line with other states,” Mr Brady said.

A spokeswoman for Attorney-General Kyam Maher said violence had no place in the community.

“Causing serious harm can attract significant penalties of up to 25 years in prison or longer in some circumstances if a court deems necessary.,” she said.

“The government is always open to exploring ways that legislation can be improved to make South Australians safer.

“To idiots who might be going out on the weekend and spoiling for a fight, think about the consequences.

“They can be life changing for all involved. Right now a 20-year-old is fighting for life.”

Originally published as North Adelaide assault victim Tyson Brady demands action on coward punch laws