TWO men have been jailed for 10 years for bashing a Wendouree man unconscious with a martial arts bow-stick as he lay defenceless on the ground.
In the County Court at Melbourne this morning, Judge Liz Gaynor told Paul Andrew Arthars, 39, and Corey John Plater, 41, their attack on Michael Green on October 4, 2008 was brutal, cowardly and despicable.
The court heard Mr Green was seen on the corner of Norman Street and Wattle Avenue about 12.30am on the night in question, calling out for Plater and banging a shovel on the ground.
Mr Green went home, where Plater was seen by a neighbour entering Mr Green's front yard carrying a martial arts bow stick.
As Plater approached, Arthars and three other men jumped out from behind a fence and started pushing and shoving Mr Green, then punching and kicking him once he'd fallen to the ground.
Both Plater and Arthars then used the bow stick, delivering blows which sandwiched Mr Green's head between the weapon and concrete.
Judge Gaynor told the court Mr Green, a father of five, was airlifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with multiple fractures and brain injuries.
He required multiple surgeries and had to have part of his skull removed to relieve pressure on his brain.
Judge Gaynor said the effect on Mr Green and his family had been "catastrophic".
"You have robbed them of the partner and father that he was," she said.
"Your attack upon him was both brutal and cowardly — most of the damage was done when Mr Green was most vulnerable, lying on the ground."
Judge Gaynor said both men had the support of their families and had good prospects for rehabilitation, but said a strong punishment was required.
"I am not satisfied your plea of guilty amounts to remorse," she said.
Both men had previously pleaded guilty to intentionally cause serious injury, while Arthars also pleaded guilty to traffic cannabis and Platers pleaded guilty to possess cannabis.
They were jailed for 10 years, with a non-parole period of 7 years.
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