Not only was it hard to hear Mr Scott relive the day he was beaten unconscious in a vicious and unprovoked attack by a man half his age, but for Mr Scott’s brother and sister-in-law, Tony and Gwenda Woods, it brought back memories of a similar trial 16 years ago.

In 1992, Mr and Mrs Woods’ 32-year-old son was assaulted in a late-night attack in South Australia. He was left brain dead by the punch and two days later his life-support was switched off.

In 1994 the man who threw the fatal blow and who had prior convictions for assault pleaded not guilty by way of self-defence. He was acquitted.

“To have someone walk away so easily after killing someone was heartbreaking,’’ Mrs Woods said.

“He admitted he hit him… it was devastating to have them (the jury) come out and say ‘he’s not guilty’.’’

Following the trial, Mr and Mrs Woods helped create a support group for people in SA who had been affected by homicide.

During Neville Cleland’s trial in the Bendigo County Court, the couple attended each day to show their support to Mr Scott.

It was a long five days and at times they were worried that Cleland, too, would be acquitted.

But after three hours of deliberation, the jury came back with their verdict: guilty.

“A little bit of justice has come to the family at long last,’’ Mrs Woods said.

“It (the trial) was a huge strain. It brought back horrible memories, but it’s good to have a bit of justice for the family.’’

Mr Scott’s wife, Jeanette, also attended court every day to support her husband.

She said the two years since the attack had been hard on everyone, but hoped yesterday’s verdict would send a message to the community.

‘’Hopefully this might make younger people think about hitting and throwing their fists around, because it’s senseless – life’s too short, too precious to waste,’’ Mrs Scott said.