A YOUNG Ballarat man already in youth detention could face more time behind bars over an incident in which he head-butted an intellectually disabled man at a local bus stop, a court has heard.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Jayde Higham, 19, appeared via video-link in Ballarat Magistrates Court yesterday where he pleaded guilty to recklessly causing injury and contravening an intervention order. The court heard Higham, who is serving time at the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre for several other offences, abused the 29-year-old victim at the Little Bridge Street bus shelter before chasing after him and head-butting him.
Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Gerard Barrow said the victim, who has a mild intellectual disability, had been sitting alone at the bus stop on November 6 last year when Higham began to abuse him.
The court heard the victim felt “intimidated” by Higham and moved to another seat before Higham followed and assaulted him.
Leading Senior Constable Barrow said the victim received bruising and swelling to his forehead and scratches to his neck.
The court heard Higham told police that he’d “had a bad day” and wasn’t “in a good state”.
Higham’s breach of intervention order related to a separate incident in which he abused his former partner during a DHS meeting, threatening to have her bashed, the court heard.
David Tamanika, for Higham, said his client came from “a very sad situation”, adding that he’d been brought up in a home full of family violence.
“Much of which occurred in front of Mr Higham,” Mr Tamanika said.
Magistrate Cynthia Toose adjourned sentencing until today, saying she needed time to consider the offending due to its serious nature.