A man called “Sorry, mate” to his victim in the public gallery at court after being jailed for three years on a charge of injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Jason Parish, 41, argued with his friend, and after being pushed by him, he used his fists, and then kicked him while wearing socks.
Parish then drove him to hospital after the incident on March 7, and yesterday Christchurch District Court Judge Paul Kellar said that if he hadn’t done that the man may have died.
His victim received serious injuries, including facial fractures of his cheek bones, nose, and jaw, and had to have his teeth removed to rebuild his face. He was in an induced coma and on a ventilator, and now is an out-patient at the brain rehabilitation centre.
Judge Kellar read Parish the three strike warning for repeat violent offenders, and said Parish had an appalling criminal history of serious violent and dishonesty offending.
He acknowledged Parish had underlying mental health issues which were not medicated at the time, and sentenced him to three years prison.
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