Man sentenced for 'callous' New Year one-punch attack at shopping centre

C : Courts The assault happened outside Pacific Fair shopping centre on New Year's Day. (ABC Gold Coast: Tara Cassidy) The sentence was handed down at Southport District Court. (ABC News: Kimberley Bernard) 'Significant' ongoing impacts for victim The court heard the victim was discovered soon after by a member of the public and taken to hospital by ambulance, where he remained in an induced coma for about a week before completing a month of "intensive rehabilitation". In a victim impact statement, the Carrara man said he experienced "significant" ongoing impacts from the incident, including memory loss and persistent headaches. "He is fearful and intimidated in social settings and finds himself staying at home more often," Judge Deborah Holliday KC said. The court heard days after the incident, Simpson turned himself in at a police station where he was arrested, remaining behind bars since. Prosecutors submitted that Simpson should be sentenced to up to four years' imprisonment with parole in Queensland after he had served one-third of his sentence. But Simpson's lawyers argued that a sentence of up to three years' imprisonment suspended after time served would be appropriate, as it would allow him to live with his parents in rural New South Wales once released. Simpson's lawyers said they accepted the 21-year-old's behaviour on January 1 was "abhorrent" and "appalling", but they highlighted he had since demonstrated remorse. In sentencing Simpson, Judge Holliday said she took this into account, as well as his young age, lack of any criminal history, and early guilty plea.