Jail time for two men over ‘cowardly’ attack on homeless man

Two men who kicked and punched a homeless man in an alleyway and left him lying bleeding on the ground have been jailed.

Two men have been jailed for a “brutal” and “cowardly” attack on a homeless man in Hobart in August.

TWO men who kicked and punched a homeless man in a Hobart alleyway and left him lying bleeding on the ground have been jailed.

Joseph Shane William Russon, 21, and Jordan Dean Rumsley, 23, both previously pleaded guilty to assaulting the man.

The Supreme Court in Hobart on Thursday heard that Russon and Rumsley had been drinking together and were extremely intoxicated when they met up with a homeless man, whom Russon knew, in the early hours of August 7.

Justice Michael Brett said the pair jointly decided to bash the homeless man for no particular reason apart from the homeless man’s failure to supply his assailants with drugs.

“He had also been drinking and was vulnerable,” Justice Brett said.

Justice Brett said Russon and Rumsley dragged the man into an alleyway in the city and punched and kicked him.

The attack was captured on CCTV and Justice Brett described the footage as “chilling”.

“The man’s head can be seen striking the brick wall a number of times,” he said.

“The man is clearly incapacitated … at no stage do you demonstrate any regard for your victim’s wellbeing.”

Justice Brett said Russon and Rumley left the man “lying injured and bleeding”.

The victim received skull and facial fractures and a mild traumatic brain injury.

Justice Brett said the attack was “brutal, sustained and cowardly”.

“The potential for harm was far greater … Your conduct has no place in a civilised society.”

Justice Brett said he accepted both men were “horrified” by their actions.

“This was a terrible crime,” he said.

Justice Brett said both men had their own problems in childhood and both had criminal histories.

He said Russon had started to turn his life around but his efforts unravelled about six months before the attack and he turned to alcohol.

Justice Brett said Rumsley had demonstrated commitment to reform, including by abstaining from alcohol and seeking counselling.

Russon was sentenced to two years’ jail for the assault and Justice Brett also activated a four-month suspended sentence. Russon will be eligible to apply for parole after serving one year and four months.

Rumsley was sentenced to two years’ jail and will be able to apply for parole after serving one year.