Brendan Batchelor punched the 45-year-old victim, who was laying on the ground being bashed by his co-accused Alan Tauschke.

The victim suffered a fractured skull and wrist, which required surgery, and lacerations to his leg.

Crown prosecutor Bruce Nibbs told the County Court at Ballarat on Friday, Batchelor did not cause the injuries to the victim.

He said while Tauschke was attacking the victim with the iron bar, Batchelor arrived in the victim's Holden Commodore - which had been stolen - and pulled up beside them on the footpath.

"Mr Batchelor got out of the car and also assaulted (the victim). He threw a punch while he was on the ground," Mr Nibbs said.

He said the victim tried to call triple-0 from his mobile phone but Tauschke took the phone and the pair fled the scene.

The attack occurred at a bus stop on the corner of Lydiard and Howitt streets in broad daylight on September 21, 2018.

Batchelor and Tauschke were arrested at the Ballarat North IGA after the victim saw them in his vehicle three days after the bashing.

Prior to the attack, the victim's car had been stolen and he went to a Landsborough Street property to retrieve it and observed a male, later identified as Batchelor, at the address.

Defence barrister Shane Kennedy said Batchelor was not involved in the theft of the victim's vehicle but bought it from a friend. He said Batchelor, a labourer, felt some resentment when the victim tried to take the car from his driveway.

He said Batchelor, whose father abandoned him when he was young, missed his uncle's funeral because he was arrested over the bashing.

"He regards himself of grievously letting his mother down and wanted to change since then," Mr Kennedy said.

"Your Honour can have a guarded optimism of his improvement.

"He has woken up to his behaviour. He hasn't come before the courts or police since the date of him receiving bail."

Mr Kennedy asked the court to sentence Batchelor to the 82 days he has already spent in custody and a community corrections order. He said Batchelor should see a psychologist, having experienced behavioural problems as a child.

Batchelor pleaded guilty to assault, dealing with property suspected to be the proceeds of crime, intentionally damaging property, possessing cannabis, unlicensed driving and driving an unregistered car.

Judge Paul Lacava said the assault was an ugly incident. He ordered a CCO assessment for Batchelor before sentencing him next Thursday. Batchelor's bail was extended.

Tauschke, 23, was jailed for five years in September for attacking the victim. He pleaded guilty to recklessly causing serious injury and theft.