Lachlan Justin Plummer receives wholly suspended prison sentence and community service hours for causing grievous bodily harm

A young man who punched an ex-cop in the head from behind at birthday party at a bowls club in Hobart’s northern suburbs has learned his fate in the Supreme Court. DETAILS HERE >>>

Lachlan Plummer arrives at the Supreme Court of Tasmania.

A CLAREMONT man who punched a former police officer in the head from behind and left him permanently disfigured has received a wholly suspended prison sentence.

Lachlan Justin Plummer previously pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court in Hobart to one count of causing grievous bodily harm.

He was sentenced by Justice Stephen Estcourt on Friday afternoon.

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

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

He fell to the ground and struggled to regain his footing before later that night being taken to hospital.

Lachlan Plummer arrives at the Supreme Court of Tasmania.

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

He had four subsequent surgeries for his injuries and will require another.

A victim impact statement said the man had been left with bouts of double vision, no feeling in parts of his face, and had lost his sense of smell.

His sense of taste was also affected, and he was unable to drive and he subsequently lost his job.

“For me, this is the day I lost my trust in people and had my independence taken away from me,” the victim impact statement read.

“The burden I have become on my family and friends is sad and unfair.”

Judge Stephen Estcourt said he took into consideration Plummer’s youth and that he did not intend to cause grievous bodily harm.

“There was no need for the attack,” he said.

“It has caused serious lifelong implications for the complainant.”

Plummer was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison, wholly suspended on condition he not commit another offence punishable by prison.

He must also complete 210 hours of community service within three years.