Judge ‘regrets’ having to jail man for one-punch assault on taxi driver

A SOON-TO-BE father has been sentenced to jail for two years and three months after a one-punch assault that knocked his victim’s teeth out and left him with a speech impairment

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A SOON-TO-BE father has been sentenced to jail for two years and three months after a one-punch assault that knocked his victim’s teeth out and left him with a speech impairment.

Alice Springs man Harvinder Khattra, who was 43 at the time of the attack, pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court to unlawfully causing serious harm. His sentence will be suspended after three months.

Chief Justice Michael Grant made it clear in sentencing that he regretted having to send Khattra to prison at all, but that his hands were tied by mandatory minimum sentencing laws. He said Khattra was a man of good character and his chances for rehabilitation were “excellent”.

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The Chief Justice told the court that on November 9, 2019, Khattra punched a taxi driver in the mouth with “considerable force”.

He believed the man had used social media to implicate him in a car crash.

“As a result of that punch, two of the victim’s teeth were knocked out by the roots,” Chief Justice Grant said.

“That result was complicated by the fact that those teeth were the supports for a porcelain bridge holding two false upper front middle teeth. The bridge, the false teeth and the supporting teeth were all knocked out as a result of the punch.

“You then walked back to your car and drove away with no apparent concern for the welfare of the victim.

“Although it was only one punch, the community now well understands that one punch can have serious consequences.”

However, Chief Justice Grant noted that the assault was at the lower end of the scale for such an offence.

The victim impact statement heard by the court explained the cost to repair the damage to the victim’s mouth would be between $14,000 and $30,000, though prosecution didn’t make any claim for compensation or restitution.

The statement also said the victim continued to suffer flashbacks and sleep disturbance as a result of the attack, and had been unable to work for six weeks afterwards.

During sentencing, Chief Justice Michael Grant acknowledged that Mr Khattra was a man of “hitherto unblemished character”, that Mr Khattra had financial responsibilities to his family, and that he and his wife are expecting a child in March, 2021.

Chief Justice Grant also relayed Mr Khattra’s strong personal references, including from his work supervisor who said that this attack was entirely out of character for Mr Khattra.

“Finally, and perhaps most significantly in this context, I have received a letter from your wife of seven years,” said Chief Justice Grant.

“She says that you are calm, solid and a man of good moral character. You come from a family which has invested you with the values of hard work, integrity and goodwill to others.

“As a husband, you have been honest, loyal and extremely considerate. She has never seen you demonstrate any violent or aggressive behaviours.”

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Chief Justice Grant concluded by addressing Mr Khattra’s counsel: “I have never regretted having to impose a sentence to actual imprisonment more than I have today … I hope you understand and your client does as well.”