A 21-year-old man, Koby Weaver, is set to be released on bail despite having been convicted for a serious attack on an off-duty police officer. Weaver was sentenced to two years in prison, with a non-parole period of 12 months, after being found guilty of recklessly causing grievous bodily harm during a brawl on January 22.
The incident occurred in Newtown, Sydney, where Weaver, alongside two others, were involved in a heated confrontation with police officers. Footage presented in court shows Weaver viciously stomping on the head of Officer Jack Steen, rendering him unconscious. The attack left Steen with critical injuries, including a bleed on the brain and facial fractures, while his colleague, Officer Lachlan Gray, sustained significant injuries as well.
During the sentencing, Acting Judge Antony Townsden acknowledged the gravity of Weaver’s actions, describing them as a “particularly serious example” of such violence, which is increasingly prevalent in society. However, he noted that he was not in a position to decide on the appeal of Weaver’s sentence, leading to the granting of bail.
Under the conditions of his release, Weaver is required to report to a police station three times a week, abstain from alcohol and drugs, and live with his parents. Despite the seriousness of the crime, Weaver’s legal representative argued that while the footage may appear alarming, it should be viewed in a broader context, suggesting that this sort of behaviour is atypical for him.
Weaver had no prior criminal record and had adhered to his bail conditions in the past. He is scheduled to return to court on May 18 to continue proceedings regarding his appeal.