Brothers Jay and Isaiah Stephens sentenced for brutal assault on top cop

Jay and Isaiah Stephens brutally bashed Assistant Commissioner Chris O’Neill, leaving him with bleeding on the brain, broken ribs and bruising to his lungs. Now, the pair has been sentenced for the savage attack.

Isaiah Stephens was sentenced to a Community Corrections Order for his role in the attack. Picture: David Crosling

A teenager has avoided jail and his older brother will be freed in less than a year following a savage attack on an off-duty high-ranking police officer in Melbourne’s south east last year.

Assistant Commissioner Chris O’Neill was left with bleeding on the brain, broken ribs and bruising to his lungs after Jay and Isaiah Stephens, aged 21 and 19, bashed him at St Kevin’s College in South Yarra on June 15.

The thugs-in-arms set upon Mr O’Neill, who was not in uniform, after he followed the brothers from Heyington train station after witnessing the young men acting drunk and aggressively on the platform shortly after 5pm.

County Court Judge Paul Lacava said the boys had been “up to no good” throughout the day, abusing members of the public and passengers before being kicked off the train by PSOs.

Judge Lacava said the sustained attack involving multiple punches and kicks to the head and chest of Mr O’Neill has had a profound effect on the top cop.

“The victim will likely continue to suffer psychologically and emotionally from the intensity of the attack for some time,” Judge Lacava said on Monday.

“(Mr O’Neill) constantly feels apprehensive, uneasy and on-edge,” he said.

Assistant Commissioner Chris O’Niell suffered bleeding on the brain from the assault.

The top cop said the violent attack has had a profound emotional impact on him.

The siblings both pleaded guilty to recklessly causing serious injury last year.

It was accepted older brother Jay, who had a history of violent offending and had skipped-parole in Queensland, had instigated the “spontaneous” assault after drinking about $400 worth of alcohol and popping eight Xanax tablets before the incident.

Judge Lacava said this served as an explanation, but was by no means an excuse for the attack.

The court heard he was at a high-risk of violent reoffending if he did not receive professional intervention by way of drug, alcohol and mental health treatment.

“I have no doubt that your upbringing has been a tragic one and you will suffer because of it for the rest of your life,” he said.

Lawyers for Isaiah had urged the court not to jail the young offender, saying he had no criminal history and was led astray by his older sibling who had only recently appeared back in his life.

Jay Stephens, 21, and his brother Isaiah, 19, pleaded guilty to the assault.

Older brother Jay has a history of violent offending and had skipped parole in Queensland.

The teenager is suffering from severe anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder for which he has never been treated.

Judge Lacava agreed and sentenced him to a two and a half year community corrections’ order during which he must complete 200 hours of unpaid charity work and will be monitored closely by Corrections Victoria.

“Your background is a tragic one, but unlike your brother Jay, until this offending you had managed to stay out of trouble,” Judge Lacava told him.

“I’m going to keep an eye on you,” he said.

Jay was sentenced to 20 months prison with no opportunity of parole.

He has already served 337 days in custody since the attack.

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