Gay basher ordered to pay $40,000 in Aussie court

Wednesday, 17th December 2008

Written by Francesca Cookney

An Australian man who beat up his gay neighbour has been ordered to pay $40,000 in criminal compensation. Daniel Leigh Proud, 23, repeatedly kicked and punched Gary Michael Jamieson, 53, leaving him with serious brain damage, the Cairns District Court heard.

Proud was jailed for 42 months in 2006 and due to release after 14 following his pleading guilty to assault and grievous bodily harm. The court heard that he had attacked his neighbour in the early hours of January 1, 2006 after Jamieson reportedly made a sexual ‘pass’ at him during a New Year's Eve firework display. Jamieson suffered a seizure and arterial bleeding to the brain.

Judge William Everson, ordered last week that he pay a total of $38,250 (approx. £16,793) and in his write-up described how Proud "viciously attacked [Jamieson] just after midnight [...] after [Proud] perceived that [Jamieson] had made a homosexual advance in relation to him." Acting Chief Tony Skoien heard at the time that Proud had told police he hated homosexuals.

Jamieson's injuries from the attack included bruising below both eyes, a laceration under the left eye, right cheek bone fracture, subdural haematoma, scarring and a brain injury. The court dismissed claims that Jamieson had suffered from post traumatic stress disorder following the incident.

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