Derwent Valley Council worker viciously attacked from behind

A council officer had taken a cigarette break and was walking back inside to his office when a furious resident brutally attacked him from behind.

A DERWENT Valley Council employee was left bloodied and semiconscious outside chambers after he was ­attacked from behind by a ­vicious customer.

The 67-year-old building and compliance officer has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and won’t return to work after the brutal assault in July last year.

Allan John Duffy, 51, had met with the victim about a problem with his home, but was unhappy with the advice he received and was told h would be issued with a notice.

The Supreme Court in Hobart heard Duffy later attacked the employee on his way back to his office after a cigarette break.

“You punched him at least eight times with a clenched fist. This punching continued after he had fallen to the ground and was covering his head with his arms to protect himself,” Chief Justice Alan Blow said while sentencing.

The victim was taken to hospital via ambulance with extensive facial injuries including reduced vision and a broken nose.

Chief Justice Blow said the worst consequences of the attack were psychological.

“He remains so anxious about his safety that he has had to give up work and rarely leaves his home,” he said.

Duffy, who pleaded guilty, has avoided prison with a 10-month home detention order and a one-year community correction order.

Chief Justice Blow noted the attack was out of character.