A young man, viciously bashed in a drunken, unprovoked attack, has echoed the NSW Police Commissioner's appeal for an end to alcohol-related crime.
Bart Gillmore today joined Commissioner, Andrew Scipione, to launch the latest Operation Unite police blitz on alcohol-related violence across New South Wales.
On Saturday 2 October last year in Wollongong, Bart and a friend were set upon without warning by three men as they passed by.
Mr Gillmore's friend, Jarrod, was thrown to the ground then repeatedly punched and kicked in the face and body, before being stomped on.
Mr Gillmore was 'king hit' and knocked unconscious.
One of the attackers stole both the victims' mobile phones and a wallet.
The entire incident was captured on CCTV and released publicly by the sentencing judge, who described it as "...an unprovoked, violent, vicious and sustained attack..."
Both victims suffered bruises to the head and body and one of them was treated for a deviated septum.
In July this year, the three assailants were sentenced to a minimum 15 months jail.
Mr Gillmore hopes to prevent any further senseless attacks by speaking out against alcohol-related crime.
"It's just sheer luck we weren't killed," he said, "Everyone involved is just stunned at the ferocity of the attack.
"They were drunk and they picked on us simply because we were walking past."
Commissioner Scipione declared preventing alcohol-related violence will be the major focus of this weekend's police operation (Friday 2 December and Saturday 3 December).
"It's this sort of violence that sickens the community and police," Mr Scipione said, "What makes it worse is that in this case, the assailants tried to get lighter sentences because they were drunk and not in control of their actions.
"In my view, they had control before they decided to drink too much and carry out this cowardly assault, they deserve what they got."
The police blitz will see hundreds of extra officers rostered on across the state, as part of an Australasia-wide initiative.
It will compliment a range of other existing police crackdowns on booze-fuelled, anti-social behaviour, including Operation Simmer and Operation Enough.
"Don't become a victim of alcohol-related crime," the Commissioner said.
"Drink until you lose control and you run the risk of becoming a victim of crime or a tragic accident.
"You could fall victim to your own stupid actions and commit a crime," Mr Scipione said, "That could change your life forever."
"Don't write yourself off and get behind the wheel...don't get blind and assault other people...don't get so legless that you stagger into the path of traffic.
"I would like to thank Mr Gillmore and his mother, Seleena, for having the courage to join me today with this important public message."
During the last Operation Unite campaign in May:
Police arrested 563 people and charged them with a total of 830 offences relating to alcohol-fuelled crime and anti-social behaviour. Last December during Operation Unite police arrested 723 people and charged them with a total of 1314 offences.
Police laid 12 charges for assault police and 26 charges for resist arrest. Last December during Operation Unite police charged laid 24 people for assault police and 44 charges for resist arrest.
Police charged 47 people with assault. Last December during Operation Unite police charged 81 people with assault.
Police conducted 32,485 random breath tests and booked 207 motorists for drink-driving across the state. 23 people were charged with driving whilst disqualified. Last December during Operation Unite police conducted 37,876 random breath tests and booked 276 motorists for drink-driving across the state. 36 people were charged with driving whilst disqualified.
Police conducted 4799 business inspections and detected a total of 299 licensing breaches and 18 security breaches. Last December during Operation Unite police conducted 4436 business inspections and detected a total of 301 licensing breaches and 16 security breaches.
"Be warned, ignore this message and you will pay the price," Commissioner Scipione said.
"It's about personal responsibility," he said.
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