A 20-year-old Wellington man says he's had a "big wake up call" after a violent revenge gathering in East Dubbo earlier this year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
According to court documents, a dispute had been brewing between a number of Indigenous families from the Wellington, Bourke and Dubbo areas for several weeks.
On March 24 this year, Jaxon Togo, 20, and two other men attended Lunar Avenue in Dubbo with knowledge other feuding parties were present in the street.
READ ALSO:
According to court documents a large crowd of about 50 to 100 people began to congregate, varying from children aged 10 to people aged 60-years-old.
On arrival a number of physical altercations began, but according to mobile phone footage obtained by police, Togo was involved in the initial altercation with an unknown man.
Police said a number of punches were thrown between the two, but at one point when the man falls to the ground, footage shows Togo kick him in the face.
This according to police sparked more of the people present to engage in fighting, or yell and scream encouraging the violent attacks.
As the incident unfolded, Togo and another man armed themselves with weapons. Mobile phone footage shows the Togo to arm himself with a kitchen knife, and threaten numerous people gesturing he would use it on them.
Members of the crowd, upon seeing the weapons, ran away in fear of being assaulted.
Two days later, police attended a home in Wellington and arrested Togo. At Wellington Police Station he made full admissions to being at Lunar Avenue with the intention to confront people he had a recent feud with, and admitted he possessed the weapon to threaten and scare those present.
Court documents revealed the dispute on March 24, stemmed from another altercation which took place outside the Amaroo Hotel where Togo had allegedly been "severely assaulted".
As a result of this incident, police said a number of violent public order type incidents have occurred between numerous parties.
Police said Togo identified two males responsible for the earlier attack on him, but declined to make a formal police complaint against them.
In Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday, Togo pleaded guilty to being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence and affray.
Defence lawyer Jessica Meech said while there was a letter before the court which indicates there was pressure from his brothers to participate, her client took full responsibility for his actions.
"He understands it would have been quite frightening and scary for someone witnessing what he was doing," she said.
The court heard Togo had grown up surrounded by violence, and raised in Dubbo but eventually moved to Wellington. Ms Meech said this took him away from football and boxing, and while he was taken away from violence he became involved in the use of drugs.
"He has lost one of his brothers since the offence ... despite admissions to drug use being a way to deal with his mental health, he hasn't spiralled or continued in his use of heavy drugs," Ms Meech said.
The court heard Togo had since moved in with his father, and was casually helping him with maintenance work at the Aboriginal Lands Council.
"The court could have faith he's not someone to come before the court again," Ms Meech said.
Magistrate Gary Wilson said he hoped Togo understood the seriousness of the offending, as it could have "got out of control big time".
"Once you boys decided to arm yourself it could have got very, very bad for you," he said.
"I know in this town and in Bourke and western towns this is a way of sorting things out, but it can't be done.
"I've sent plenty of men to jail for these type of offences of affray because things get out of control. It ends up in a very dangerous situation."
Togo told Magistrate Wilson "it was a big wake up call" and it "shouldn't have happened".
Taking into account Togo's lack of criminal record, early plea of guilt and the fact he is highly spoken of and has family support, Magistrate Wilson gave him a chance to keep himself "on the rails".
Togo's convicted and sentenced him to an 18-month community corrections order.
Magistrate Wilson also recommended he engage with drug and alcohol counselling.