A young father who assaulted a Woolworths customer in the face after running into him with his cart because he was in the way will continue to be imprisoned.
Zebuai Kane Pomare, 31, was convicted of unprovoked assaulting a stranger at a Gold Coast supermarket earlier this year and given a two-year prison term, but he could be out in a few weeks.
Shocked spectators observed the disgusting occurrence at Australia Fair in Southport on January 5 and it was recorded on CCTV.
In video produced in court, Pomare can be seen entering the store and moving down an aisle before slamming his cart into the legs of a man shopper as they come into contact.
The young victim is then struck in the face and knocked to the ground.
In the midst of onlookers rushing to aid the victim, who sustained facial injuries and a deviated septum, Pomare calmly strolls away as if nothing ever happened.
On Monday, the father-of-three appeared via videolink in Southport Magistrates Court and entered a guilty plea to a number of counts.
According to Seven News, Magistrate Dzenita Balic said jail was the only suitable sentence because Pomare’s acts were unacceptable.
Magistrate Balic reprimanded him, saying, “You struck him in an unprovoked manner, just because he was in your way.”
“You didn’t give a damn who was there.” Simply put, you struck him.
In addition, the court heard that while in detention two months after the assault, Pomare clenched his fists, lunged at, and spat at two police officers.
Magistrate Balic remarked, “You chuckled and said, “Gotcha, gotcha, gotcha, got ya dog c****.”
“This is a serious act of aggression against two officers who have done nothing at all to you,” it is said.
Atul Bhardwaj, Pomare’s attorney, told reporters outside of court that his client was sorry and regretful for his acts.
All he could tell was that “the magistrate made a judgement on the penalties he should get.”
Pomare has been imprisoned for 171 days and could be released as early as November 5.