By Hannah Turner | posted on February 15, 2021
AN ALBANY nurse who attacked two victims after drinking too much at a work function has been fined $3000, pleading guilty to two counts of common assault.
Albany Magistrates court heard Andrew Kenneth Shaw was at an event in Centennial Park on November 27 when he pushed his first victim in the chest at around 10.30pm.
Just 10 minutes later he punched his second victim in the face.
The first victim, a 30-year-old female, fell to the ground and suffered injuries to her head, neck and elbow.
Both attacks were unprovoked.
The 52-year-old reportedly told police he was intoxicated and had no recollection of the event.
Mr Shaw went to the event on his own and blamed his heavy drinking on the high level of stress he was under at the time.
These stresses included his partner suffering injuries from a motor vehicle accident two weeks prior.
Police Prosecuting Sgt Michael Russell said he was unlikely to reoffend.
“He has accepted responsibility and displays remorse,” he said.
The former Royal Flying Doctor Service worker wrote apology letters to the victims two days before coming before the courts on February 11.
Magistrate Dianne Scaddan was scathing of Mr Shaw’s actions given he would have witnessed first-hand as a nurse the repercussions of booze-fuelled violence.
“Sadly, alcohol related violence is all too common,” she said.
“Most people have personal stresses and they have to learn to manage them.
“Moderate your drinking.”
The accused is educated in law and mental health.
Mr Shaw had no prior criminal history and he was granted a spent conviction.