In court: Goulburn man breaks stranger's jaw in violent alcohol fueled act

Cody Blake Selby, 20, of Goulburn, pleaded guilty to reckless grievous bodily harm at Goulburn Local Court on June 23.

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Magistrate Geraldine Beattie told the court Selby had approached the victim who was sitting on the kerb, outside a kebab shop in Goulburn. She said Selby had repeatedly yelled "I'll kick your head in" before he pushed the victim and punched him in the jaw.

Magistrate Beattie said the victim suffered a bilateral break of his jaw from the punch.

"[The victim] underwent surgery to repair breaks in his jaw and spent a number of days in hospital," she said.

"That punch must have had significant force behind it to break his jaw.

"It impacts the way he talks, he eats, he drinks. This is a very serious offence of violence."

She told the defendant the victim was "simply there sitting on the kerb waiting for his kebab. You're the one who became violent and had been drinking".

"No one deserves to be hit, whatever the circumstances."

Solicitor Tim McGrath urged the magistrate to consider a sentence served in the community so his client could undergo drug and alcohol counselling.

He said Selby expressed remorse and "has insight into his aggression".

In sentencing, Magistrate Beattie said it was important to deter people from "engaging in alcohol related violence".

She took into account that the "potential consequences had been a trigger [for Selby] to re-engage with treatment".

"It's not easy, it's a hard process and there are ups and there are downs. It's going to be hard work."

"You've got to do everything you can now to stay out of jail."

Selby was sentenced to a two-year Intensive Corrections Order and a $1500 fine for breaching an existing Community Release Order.

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