An Eaglehawk man who pleaded guilty to a "frenzied" knife attack has been sentenced to a 24-month community corrections order.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Dylan Hicks, 21, appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates Court on Wednesday. He pleaded guilty in September to intentionally causing injury and possessing a controlled weapon, as well as possessing cannabis.
The court heard Hicks was driving home in a taxi in the early hours of May 3 with a female relative, the victim, and two others.
Hicks became aggressive towards the victim over comments he made about Hicks' relative, leaned across the seat and punched the victim to the jaw.
The taxi driver pulled over in Wood Street, Long Gully and pressed the duress alarm.
Hicks then got out, walked around the other side of the vehicle and tried to pull the victim from the car.
When he was unsuccessful, he pulled out a pocket knife and stabbed the victim numerous times in what was described in the summary of the offence as a "frenzied attack".
Outside the taxi, Hicks hit and kicked the victim.
The victim called triple-0 from a nearby venue and was taken to hospital by ambulance, where he received 14 stitches.
He suffered multiple lacerations, scratches and bruising to his face, bruising and a puncture wound to his chest, and bruising to his arms.
Hicks was arrested that night, still in possession of the knife and with the victim's blood on him.
Magistrate Sarah Leighfield said the incident was at the higher end of the internationally causing injury charge.
"You repeatedly stabbed the victim," she said. "Fortunately, they did not sustain life-threatening injuries out of this."
Ms Leighfield said while community protection was a key sentencing factor, she was confident it could be achieved through "treatment rather than punishment".
"Despite the seriousness, I am satisfied I can deal with this without a prison sentence," she said.
Ms Leighfield said she also took into account Hicks had pleaded guilty at an early stage.
"I have some issues about your level of remorse," the Magistrate said. "But I will still give you the discount of an early plea because it was given at the earliest opportunity."
Hicks was sentenced to a 24-month community corrections order.
As part of the order, he will have to complete 250 hours of unpaid community work, as well as mental health treatment, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.