http://www.theage.com.au/national/bodybuilder-jailed-over-dancefloor-bashing-20080918-4jbk.htmlBody-builder jailed over dance-floor bashing
September 18, 2008
A bodybuilder has been sentenced to 12 months' jail for attacking a young woman on the dance floor of a Melbourne nightclub after she rejected his advances.
James Darren Murphy, 22, who pleaded guilty to the attack in February last year, will serve six months of the sentence before he is eligible for parole.
Murphy assaulted Tamieka Malone, then 18, in an unprovoked attack as she danced at the Area 61 nightclub in St Kilda, leaving her with a broken nose and a chipped tooth.
The Victorian County Court was told Ms Malone was dancing with a friend when Murphy, of Kilmore in north Victoria, approached her.
She rejected his compliments, triggering an angry reaction from Malone who had been drinking with friends at other venues before going to Area 61.
Judge Frank Gucciardo was told the young woman fell or was pushed to the ground and Murphy then straddled her, punching her as many as 10 times.
The court heard Murphy was remorseful and had become involved in drug and alcohol counselling, including speaking at schools telling young people about the dangers of alcohol.
Judge Gucciardo said binge drinking was spiralling out of control and was making "so-called entertainment precincts" dangerous places to visit.
He said people in the community were scared to go into these areas at night because of the danger, which he said was unacceptable.
He said the courts should respond with suitable deterrents in cases of violence.
