Prison Sentence for Assault on Off-Duty Officer in Newtown

Koby Weaver, 21, has been sentenced to prison for assaulting an off-duty police officer in Newtown, Sydney. The judge described Weaver's actions as deplorable and cowardly.

Sentencing Details

Weaver received a maximum sentence of two years, backdated for time already served in custody, and will be eligible for parole in February next year. He faced the most serious charge among three men arrested in connection with the incident.

Co-offenders Danai Deneiderhavsein and Finley Goodwin were spared further prison time. They were each fined $2,200 and ordered to serve their sentences for assault occasioning actual bodily harm in the community under strict conditions.

Incident Overview

The incident occurred in January last year on Enmore Road, Newtown, involving a brawl between the three young men and two off-duty police officers. The victims were among crowds leaving a concert when the interaction began.

Over several minutes, tensions escalated into pushing, shoving, punches, and kicks. The victims attempted to retreat as the melee spilled onto the road.

One of the victims ended up on his back, holding Finley Goodwin by the collar. Koby Weaver then broke the grip by stomping on the victim's head before fleeing the scene.

CCTV and mobile phone footage of the incident captured a loud cracking noise when Weaver stomped on the victim's head, after which the officer lay motionless. The officer sustained serious injuries, including facial fractures.

Judicial and Legal Statements

Judge Greg Grogin stated Weaver's intervention "put people's lives at risk."

Weaver's defense lawyer, Jane Sanders, stated her client perceived his friend was in danger and initially tried to separate the parties. She conceded the kick was "excessive and reckless" and described the footage as "shocking." Sanders noted Weaver had spent 65 days in custody, shown "impeccable" behavior since being granted bail, and his employer rehired him.

Goodwin's lawyer, Tomislav Bicanic, mentioned his client sought psychiatric treatment and was medicated for ADHD. Deneiderhavsein's lawyer, Timothy Scott, highlighted that the first physical contact was initiated by one of the victims and his client's involvement was of limited duration.

Crown solicitor Alexandra Bova described the video as "confronting," arguing the attack was unprovoked, random, and repeated. She stated that street violence by young men, often under the influence of alcohol, is common.

Judge Grogin concluded that the trio acted "in a pack" to attack two innocent men, describing the events captured on video as a "barbaric attack."