Beau Brownbill, an 18-year-old left with a permanent brain injury after a coward punch attack in Adelaide, is urging the court to jail the teenager responsible.
Mr Brownbill was struck three times in quick succession outside a Hindley Street nightclub in February. CCTV captured the attack, which left him unconscious with a fractured skull.
The 17-year-old from Whyalla, who cannot be identified, fled the scene. Mr Brownbill has since been unable to work or drive and said the consequences had affected every part of his life.
“I’m impacted by my mental health, my physical health, my social health, all the above,” he said.
Mr Brownbill’s parents, Megan and Tony Brownbill, said their son’s health problems would be lifelong. Megan described the past seven months as “absolute hell” for the family.
“Our son is not the same son as he was,” she said.
The teenager apologised in court through his lawyer, who argued that he had acted excessively rather than aggressively. The lawyer also asked the magistrate not to record a conviction or impose a period in detention.
Outside court, however, the teenager declined to apologise when asked whether he had anything to say.
“I’ve nothing to say, I’ve no comment,” he said. When pressed on whether he was sorry, he replied: “Nah.”
Mr Brownbill’s father said the family believed a prison sentence was necessary.
“A little bit of time served will actually hit at home,” Tony said.
The magistrate said the CCTV footage was shocking to watch. The teenager is due to be sentenced next week.
