A forgetful boxer, who once looked like he could go on to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Games, has told a court he cannot recall the time he went on a violent and unprovoked rampage in Dubbo.
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Jock Kenneth Matthews had almost consumed a full bottle of whisky when he "snapped" and viciously assaulted three of his mates on May 25.
According to a statement of agreed police facts presented in court, the 23-year-old man's crime spree began when he punched a 29-year-old man in the stomach while at a mate's house.
When the 29-year-old man retaliated by punching Matthews in the stomach, police said Matthews "snapped". The 29-year-old was punched numerous times and ended up on the ground with blood running from his head.
A 23-year-old man and a 20-year-old man begged Matthews to "stop" but then he turned on them.
Matthews punched the 23-year-old man in the head and caused him to fall to the ground, where he did not move.
In their facts statement, police said Matthews went on to smash bottles before he repeatedly punched the 29-year-old man again.
He also punched the 23-year-old victim again and laughed as he walked around the backyard and threatened to kill multiple people, police said in the facts statement.
Matthews then punched the 20-year-old man and kneed him in the stomach before he got hold of the 29-year-old man again. Police said Matthews put his hands around the 29-year-old man's throat, smashed more items in the backyard and made more threats to kill people who would not give him his keys.
Matthews went on to damage two vehicles. Police found him in an empty paddock with hand injuries which required surgery.
In Dubbo Local Court Matthews pleaded guilty to three assaults and two property damage charges.
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Matthews' legal representative said her client was "appalled" by his actions and had "no real recollection of the event". She told the court Matthews was hit by a car in 2017 and before that, he had prospects of representing Australia at the Commonwealth Games.
After the car incident Matthews lost his job and developed a prescription drug addiction which he had sought treatment for, the court heard. Since the assaults, the court heard Matthews had not consumed alcohol, continued to seek help for addiction issues and volunteered in the community.
The police prosecutor said Matthews should be sent to jail after the court heard he was not convicted of similar assault charges in the past.
Last Wednesday Magistrate Gary Wilson sentenced Matthews to a 15-month term of imprisonment which is to be served in the community by way of an intensive corrections order.
