A man needed surgery after a “cowardly” eight-second attack outside a Hobart nightclub

A young man who left a Hobart nightclub and falsely accused a stranger of taking advantage of a woman has been jailed for a “cowardly” assault.

Jayden David Tapp pleaded guilty to one count of assault following an incident in early December 2022 that left the victim with a broken cheekbone and a cut eyelid.

According to Acting Judge Shane Marshall, Tapp and the victim were near the Observatory Bar on the city’s waterfront at about 4.30am on December 4 when the robbery took place.

The court heard the victim was talking to her friend near the club when Tapp approached her and verbally abused her, accusing him of making a move on the woman.

When the victim tried to leave, Tapp struck him 16 times in the head with a closed fist.

“Vision of the incident shows a series of rapid fire blows which caught the appellant completely unawares,” Judge Marshall said.

“The attack took place in just eight seconds. This was extremely cowardly, especially considering that after the third blow the applicant fell to the ground.”

The victim required surgery for damaged drainage in the corner of his right eye and continues to experience numbness on the right side of his face.

He also suffers from anxiety in public places and was unable to work for several weeks after the attack.

Tapp told police he was drunk, angry and simply lost his temper. He stated that he felt bad because of the injuries he caused.

Judge Marshall sentenced Tapp to 18 months of house arrest with stringent conditions, including being confined to his home from 6pm to 6am on weekdays and from 4pm to 12pm on weekends.

He also ordered Tapp to perform 75 hours of community service within the next 24 months.