The long-running saga of the Buffs Club coward attack on Melissa Abdoo was finally resolved on Friday with defendant Boy Allan Page sentenced to serve three months in jail before being eligible for parole.
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Page struck Ms Abdoo almost 10 months ago on Saturday January 9, and at Mount Isa Magistrates Court on Friday he was sentenced to 18 months after pleading guilty assault occasioning bodily harm in a public place while adversely affected by intoxicating substance.
Page stared in silence at the many supporters of Ms Abdoo wearing purple for the “no tolerance” campaign as police escorted him from the courtroom.
The court heard what happened when Page was refused entry into the premises by Ms Abdoo.
As she was talking to Page’s partner, Page put his leg behind Ms Abdoo and struck her in the head and she fell. Page fled the scene and did not return. Ms Abdoo was transported to Townsville Hospital.
The courtroom said video footage of the incident which indicated it was not a coward punch.
Magistrate Stephen Guttridge said “I can see that he puts his foot behind her and strikes her head and chest (after) which she fell.”
Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Paige Barrow conceded it was a strike not a push as stated by the defendant.
“There was no opportunity for her to remain on her feet, there was no opportunity for her to brace herself,” Sergeant Barrow said.
“I wouldn’t describe this as impulsive, he also fled the scene and did not check on her welfare or return to the scene.”
Barrister for the defendant Dennis Lynch said Page’s actions were not intentional.
“He knocked her off her feet. The particulars injury that was suffered was not one that was intended by him,” Mr Lynch said.
“He had no prior criminal record at all, is a married man and has three small children. He is the sole provider for his family and pays a mortgage over their residence.
“The present offence was one that was completely out of character for him and there is no present material that shows he has acted like that in the past in fact all the material states that he has been a useful, reliable member of the community.”
Sergeant Barrow said although Page had no criminal history, he had experience fighting and has fought in Fred Brophy’s fighting tent as recent as 2015.
Sergeant Barrow pleaded to the magistrate that the penalty must act as a deterrent to others.
“The community in Mount Isa has no tolerance for this type of behaviour, as you can see here (pointing to many in the gallery wearing purple in support of Ms Abdoo) with the campaign the community started,” she said.
After the incident Ms Abdoo suffered subdural bleeding to the brain, lost her sense of taste and smell suffered from headaches.
Ms Abdoo’s statement said how she reached lows in hospital and how she felt disposable.
Once she returned home she suffered nightmares, anxiety and it took her longer to understand things, which she described as humiliating.
Her statement also mentioned how the satisfaction that she used to get from her job was gone and her love for her job had changed. She also spoke about the financial burden that the incident put on her, family and partner.
A letter from Ms Abdoo’s partner Jason Weckert, was provided to the magistrate outlining the effect the incident had taken on their relationship.
A letter of apology was written by Page and read in court before a decision was made.
After an hour long review of evidence, video footage and the events that occurred, Magistrate Guttridge sentenced Page to 18 months imprisonment with the condition of parole after serving three months. He would also be required to complete 100 hours community service when released from prison.
Ms Abdoo’s partner, Jason Weckert, said they were happy with the result and thanked the community for their support.
“Mel hopes to make a full recovery and get our life back on track.”