Attacker jailed for 6 months

A young man who "king hit" two men in separate incidents at Palmerston, injuring both, was jailed for six months.

Magistrate Greg Cavanagh ruled Clinton John Detourbet serve the whole sentence, backdating it to February 9 for time in custody.

"Assaults of this kind are unfortunately far too prevalent," the magistrate said. "The Palmerston community is entitled to have a message from this court that such thuggery is not to be tolerated.

"Mr Detourbet has, by his actions, made himself out to be a young thug."

Detourbet, 23, pleaded guilty to the assaults at Palmerston on January 7, 2004 and March 27, 2004, with both victims suffering bodily harm.

Darwin Magistrates Court heard that in the first assault Detourbet saw the victim and told him to give another person a message.

He walked away, then turned back to the sitting victim and punched him in the head.

The victim blacked out for a few seconds and suffered a headache and nausea for some days.

In the second assault, Detourbet approached a man sitting outside Coles supermarket and accused of stealing his brother's property.

He punched the victim without warning, knocking him back against a car.

The man suffered a fractured left eye socket, cheekbone and nerve damage to his face.

Defence lawyer Brian Cassells said Detourbet at the time had a problem with cannabis and alcohol.

He no longer smoked cannabis, was only a light drinker and had made a decision not to become involved in violence.

The magistrate noted Detourbet's convictions for assault, one attracting a two-year suspended sentence from the Supreme Court.

Mr Cavanagh said the attacks were brutal and unexpected - "to use the vernacular, a king hit".

Newshawk: Fiona Clarke
Pubdate: Sat, 23 April 2005
Source: Northern Territory News (Australia)
Author: Bob Watt
Copyright: 2005 Northern Territory News
Contact: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Website: http://ntnews.news.com.au/
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