A TEEN who assaulted a 61-year-old Gordonvale man in a drunken rage expressed his remorse yesterday after spending the day in the cells awaiting sentencing.

Joshua Alan Dehne, 19, was put on a six-month probation order during which he will be unable to drink any alcohol and was ordered to pay $500 restitution after pleading guilty to assault and wilful damage in Cairns Magistrates’ Court.

No conviction was recorded.

The court heard Dehne and a mate had become involved in an argument with the victim while walking home from drinking at a hotel on July 16.

Dehne had barked at civil engineer Bill Peach’s german shepherd as they passed his house.

When Mr Peach came out to investigate, the heavily intoxicated 19-year-old turned violent, first abusing him and then throwing punches.

The court heard his mate called out, "Leave the old guy alone," and tried to pull Dehne away.

But an enraged Dehne tackled Mr Peach and punched him. Mr Peach went inside to telephone the police and his attacker then kicked the front door and his car door, causing damage estimated at $500.

A visibly angry magistrate Joe Pinder
ordered that Dehne be remanded in custody until the afternoon while he decided on an
appropriate sentence.

After spending almost the entire day in the watchhouse, Dehne told The Weekend Post he was glad he had dodged a jail sentence and was glad it was over.

"It could have probably been a lot worse," he said.

Mr Pinder told the defendant that he could expect to see the insides of more watchhouses and jail cells if he continued the behaviour he displayed during July’s "unprovoked attack".

During his six-month probation, Dehne will be checked for drugs and alcohol and will also be required to undergo an alcohol awareness and management course.

Mr Peach told The Weekend Post he was annoyed that his attacker had decided to pick "on an old codger".

"There’s kids all over the place hanging around and doing nothing," he said.

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