A man who "cowardly" assaulted another person before robbing him of his shoes, jacket, headphones and mobile phone on a Delacombe roadside, has avoided imprisonment.
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Redan's Bryce Baldwin was one of a group of youths who attacked the male victim from behind as he walked towards the Delacombe Town Centre complex shortly after 10.30pm on April 24.
Ballarat magistrate Ron Saines told Baldwin, 20, on Wednesday his behaviour was a serious example of criminal violence.
"This is a significant level of violence and robbery in a street. It's a coward act; one person was the victim," Mr Saines said.
"If it wasn't for a series of factors, you would be a candidate for jail here."
The magistrate said Baldwin had no prior convictions, he acted as part of a group and really did not think about it enough and he had a medical condition which affected his decision-making.
It's a coward act; one person was the victim.
- Magistrate Ron Saines
Baldwin was convicted and sentenced to a two-year community corrections order which includes 100 hours of unpaid community work, supervision and treatment for alcohol abuse and mental health with a justice plan.
Last month, Baldwin pleaded guilty to robbery and unlawful assault after the Ballarat Magistrates' Court allowed him to have his charges dealt with in its jurisdiction.
The court was told one of Baldwin's co-accused attended the victim's address at 10.30pm and asked him to go for a walk with her.
The pair were walking towards the Delacombe Town Centre when the victim turned around and saw Baldwin, another male and two females walking quickly up to him.
The group surrounded the victim and Baldwin walked towards him and punched him twice to the head.
The victim fell to the ground and Baldwin kicked him six times to the head and chest area. A co-accused took the victim's $100 Nike shoes and made demands for his Fila jacket.
The court was told the same co-accused took the victim's headphones and gave the victim's jacket to Baldwin.
Baldwin made demands for the victim's mobile phone, put his hands in the victim's pocket and took it out.
The victim refused to give Baldwin his mobile phone PIN number and he fled in fear to a nearby house. He sustained bruising and swelling to his cheeks and pain in his ribs.
Baldwin was arrested the following day at his family home.
He was present in court for Wednesday's sentencing hearing.
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