A 24-year-old carpenter has been jailed over a "cowardly" early morning assault at Noosa Heads late last year that left a man unconscious.
The Maroochydore District Court heard Jordan Troy Savage was with friends who became involved in a brawl with another group of men near the taxi ranks on Noosa Drive about 2:00am on December 30.
The court heard the 29-year-old victim, Joshua Lieschke, had been knocked to the ground by another man.
"As the complainant [Mr Lieschke] attempted to get up, the defendant [Savage] stomped on his head with his foot, rendering him unconscious," prosecutor Madalyn Olivero said.
"And whilst unconscious he further assaulted him, stomped on his head over two times."
Mr Lieschke suffered concussion, a fractured nose, chipped tooth and cuts and bruises to his face.
Victim 'emotionally broken'
The stomping incident came just 10 days after Savage assaulted another man in the Noosa nightclub precinct.
The court heard Eduardo Junkes, 32, was out for dinner and drinks with friends on December 10 when he was confronted by Savage and another group of men.
"The defendant [Savage] yelled at him ... punched that complainant [Mr Junkes] in the face," Ms Olivero told the court.
"He was effectively the instigator ... he made the invitation to fight in the presence of his friends ... and that encouraged the others to further assault him."
The prosecutor said Mr Junkes was kicked in the head by the other men and suffered a cut to his head that required eight sutures, along with a chipped tooth.
In his victim impact statement, Mr Junkes described the "physical pain" and "the shame" he felt after the assault.
"He was out of pocket for some medical expenses ... but it wasn't the financial loss ... the worst part of it was feeling emotionally broken," Ms Olivero said.
'Unnecessary violence'
Savage's defence barrister Nathan Turner argued his client's actions were out of character, and stemmed from Savage abusing alcohol after he and his then-partner ended their five-year relationship.
"This led ultimately to the outbursts of anger that he has pleaded guilty to today," Mr Turner said.
The lawyer argued Savage should not serve actual time behind bars, because he had taken "significant steps" towards rehabilitation.
"These two offences ... were a turning point," Mr Turner said.
"He's seen a psychologist, refrained from alcohol and lived a healthy and productive lifestyle while remaining employed and completing his carpentry apprenticeship."
Judge Glen Cash said "general deterrence and denunciation" were his most important considerations.
"The offences you have committed are serious examples of unnecessary violence in a public place committed by a drunk young man," Judge Cash said.
"Your conduct included the cowardly and dangerous act of stomping on his head.
"The community expects courts to act in a way that makes it plain that this sort of violent behaviour will not be tolerated."
The 24-year-old was given a head sentence of 15 months, to be suspended after he has served four months.
Savage was supported in court by family and friends, including his mother and two sisters, who became visibly upset as the sentence was handed down.
