Lachlan Justin Plummer pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm, judge considering home detention order and community service

A young man who has shown “sporting prowess” and pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm may avoid a jail sentence, a Hobart court has heard.

• Lachlan Justin Plummer pleads guilty to causing grievous bodily harm after bowls club scuffle
• Flasher, masturbator sentenced to home detention

A CLAREMONT man who “recklessly” punched a former police officer in the head from behind and left him permanently disfigured may avoid being sentenced to prison, a court has heard.

In the Supreme Court in Hobart on Monday, Lachlan Justin Plummer pleaded guilty to one count of causing grievous bodily harm.

The Crown Prosecutor said on June 29, 2019, Mr Plummer, who was 20 years old at the time, and the victim, who was aged 49, were at a party at the Claremont Bowls Club for Mr Plummer’s uncle’s 50th birthday party.

Lachlan Plummer arrives at the Supreme Court of Tasmania.

A few minutes after a scuffle on the dancefloor between the two men, Mr Plummer approached the victim from behind and punched him in the head “with no warning.”

The court heard emergency surgery was performed to relieve pressure and save the victim’s eyesight.

He has subsequently had another four surgeries for his ongoing injuries.

A victim impact statement said the man had been left with bouts of double vision, no feeling in parts of his face, that he had lost his sense of smell and his sense of taste was also impacted and he was unable to drive.

Lachlan Plummer arrives at the Supreme Court of Tasmania.

On Wednesday, Mr Plummer’s lawyer Craig Rainbird said the now 21-year-old Claremont man worked full time as a concreter and was “highly regarded” by his employer.

The court heard he had showed sporting prowess as a representative for his school in AFL, cricket and cross country as well as a state representative in the underage leagues in AFL and currently played for the Hobart Football Club seniors.

Mr Rainbird said Mr Plummer was devastated by the outcome of his conduct and had sent a message to his uncle in the days after the incident which said he was “regretful, embarrassed and ashamed.”

Lachlan Plummer arrives at the Supreme Court of Tasmania.

Mr Rainbird said the incident was out of character for Mr Plummer who did not have any prior convictions, a good work ethic and was an “active young man who enjoys his sport.”

Justice Estcourt said the serious nature of the resulting injuries was an “important consideration” in sentencing and “ordinarily a prison sentence may follow,” but due to Mr Plummer’s youth “I propose to look for alternatives.”

“Potentially this could be home detention or a suspended sentence,” Justice Estcourt said.

He ordered a pre-sentence report to assess Mr Plummer’s suitability for home detention and community service.

Mr Plummer was bailed to reappear on November 6.