ORANGE is not immune from the violence seen in places such as Kings Cross and George Street in Sydney as the number of unprovoked punches to a person’s head, in Orange, stack up.
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Police prosecutor Sergeant Andy Bobin vowed he would pursue jail time for any offender found have inflicted grievous bodily harm with a single, violent, unprovoked punch to the head.
He said at least another two cases, similar to the one involving Queanbeyan footballer Tony Mclean who pleaded guilty to punching Orange man Adam Ford in the back of the head on Thursday, had come across his desk recently, and were due in court in the coming weeks and police had enough.
“I’m not talking about people getting in a punch-up and causing grievous bodily harm.
“I’m talking about sucker punches, coward punches and king-hits,” he said.
Sergeant Bobin became a police prosecutor 17 years ago and said the violence had not become worse but that society had become less tolerant and the high profile cases such as the deaths of Thomas Kelly and Daniel Christie, who were punched on a night out, brought the issue into the spotlight.
“It’s a statewide problem ... Orange police will be talking a tough stance on this behaviour,” he said.
“There are thugs and hooligans out there who are like predators.”
“The thugs get drunk, go out looking for a fight and target people who are intoxicated,” Sergeant Bobin said.
“To stay safe while out on the town in Orange people should travel in groups, have a designated driver or someone who was sober and could protect people from predators and keep you hands in your pockets,” he said.
“People are just sick and tired of alcohol fuelled violence.”
nicole.kuter@fairfaxmedia.com.au
