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National

Three men jailed over violent Brisbane gang bashings of two teens

One victim suffered traumatic brain injuries, the court heard. 

Three men involved in the violent gang bashing of two teenage boys in separate attacks in inner Brisbane have been jailed but could be released on parole by the end of the year.

On Monday Lasender Sheriff, 19, Yoram Banyen, 22, and Acot Dut, 20, pleaded guilty in the Brisbane District Court to one count each of acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm.

Sheriff and Banyen also pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm.

During a sentencing hearing, the court heard that in August 2021 the three men went to a party at a South Brisbane apartment along with several juveniles.

After the group was asked to leave, the court heard some of the males, who were part of a gang, "turned their attention" to a 17-year-old boy who they did not know and accused him of being on "the opposite side".

The court heard Sheriff then repeatedly punched the boy, who was eventually rendered unconscious from head injuries after multiple blows from other members of the group.

Banyen was not physically involved in the attack, and Acot had tried to stop the assault, the court heard.

One of the juvenile co-offenders filmed the bashing, with the court hearing he was captured on the recording laughing while claiming: "They're going to kill him bro."

After this assault, the court heard the group of males travelled to another apartment in Toowong where a more serious attack was launched on another 17-year-old boy, who had been asleep.

Boy stomped on, struck with bat

The court heard Acot, Banyen and Sheriff went into a bedroom and watched as the boy, who they also did not know, was repeatedly stomped on the head and struck with a metal bat by some of the juveniles.

This attack was also filmed and shared on social media, the court heard.

After leaving the apartment, the court heard some of the males had congratulated each other in the elevator, with one juvenile heard saying: "We f***ed that n*****. He dead."

The second boy suffered life-threatening and traumatic brain injuries and was placed in a medically induced coma. He now suffers ongoing seizures, the court heard.

'One step down from attempted murder'

Despite all three men not being physically involved in the second attack, the trio were sentenced as a party to the crime, as their presence was considered by the court as encouragement.

Banyen was also sentenced as a party to the first attack for the same reason.

When determining their jail terms, Judge David Kent had to take into consideration the roles each of the men played.

Judge Kent described the offending overall as "extremely serious" and "one step down from attempted murder".

Banyen was sentenced to six years in jail and will be eligible for parole in September this year, while Sheriff was handed a five-and-a-half-year sentence and can apply for parole in June.

Acot was given the shortest period of custody at four years, but due to being on parole for other offences at the time of the attacks, his new parole eligibility date was set from November.

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