Andrew Krakouer jailed for nightclub attack
Todd Cardy, court reporter
July 30, 2008 11:15am
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,24100336-948,00.html
FORMER AFL star Andrew Krakouer has been jailed for a minimum of 16 months for a vicious and brutal assault outside a Fremantle nightclub.
District Court Judge Kate O'Brien today sentenced the 25-year-old ex-Richmond Tiger for bashing 24-year-old Justin Martin by kicking him in the head and upper body during a fist fight on December 22 2006.
His brother Tyrone Krakouer will join him behind bars, also being sentenced today to a minimum eight months for his part in the assault.
Father and football great Jimmy Krakouer sat quietly in the public gallery of the court but left clearly saddened by the jailing of his two sons, tell waiting media that he was disappointed with the result.
“I am pretty disappointed,” he told reporters. “You know. We’ve all been in trouble when we’re young. For a first offender to be done like that, well, that’s the way the court saw it. They’ll be okay.”
Jimmy Krakouer, who served 16 years for drugs offences while the boys were growing up, believed his high-profile son would be okay in jail, saying: “Jail is tough for everybody.
“He’s a strong boy. He’ll just keep positive – their minds are pretty positive,” he said.
Jimmy Krakouer said the case had been “pretty tough” on his family and he did not know whether Andrew would play football again but the support of his former club had been strong.
“Richmond has been good,” he said. “A lot of people have been supportive of Andrew and Tyrone so they will be okay.”
Andrew Krakouer faced 20 years jail after a jury found him guilty of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm in June.
Today he was sentenced to four years jail with the term cut to 32 months under the state's truth in sentencing laws.
He is eligible for parole in 16 months with the term backdated to June 18 this year.
Tyrone Krakouer was sentenced to a maximum 16 months in prison, with a minimum eight months.
The court heard the fight was sparked after Krakouer wanted to “settle the score” with Mr Martin after the two were involved in a fight six years ago in which he was “king-hit”.
Andrew Krakouer coerced Mr Martin into a fight, then chased Mr Martin down when he fled.
Mr Martin suffered a broken eye socket, and extensive cuts and bruising that triggered a kidney disorder, which lead to a seizure and he being in intensive care for two weeks.
Judge O'Brien described the attack as "vicious and cowardly" and said people going about their daily lives in Fremantle did not deserve to see such "mindless violence".
A large number of glowing reference were today submitted to the court on Krakouer's behalf, including a full statement from the Richmond Tigers football team, which detailed his leadership skills and mentoring abilities.
Judge O'Brien said from the evidence it appeared that Andrew Krakouer had acted "out of character" and it “remained a mystery” why he acted the way he did.
“The attack was unprovoked, persistent and brutal. It seems to be out of your nature, Andrew Krakouer," Judge O'Brien said.
Before the sentence was handed down Andrew Krakouer made a personal statement to the judge.
“I would just like to say, you honour, I am remorseful and I am sorry,” Krakouer told the court. “I would certainly change what happened but I can't.
“It has been devastating for my family. I am so remorseful.”
The court heard that an immediate jail sentence would be devastating for his football career and he had a low chance of reoffending.
“Football provided a stable influence on your life and without this you anticipate life may prove challenging for you", Judge O'Brien said.
Lawyers for the Krakouers had called for suspended jail terms but Judge O’Brien said the assault was too serious and general deterrence was needed.
