A Perth man, Kieran Phillips, also known as Kieran Kennedy, has been sentenced to 56 weeks in prison for two separate assaults occurring within months of each other. Sheriff William Wood, presiding over the case at Perth Sheriff Court, condemned Phillips’ actions as “brutal” and deemed imprisonment the only appropriate consequence.
The first incident, taking place on South Street near Ropemaker’s Close on July 18th of the previous year, involved Phillips punching a man in the face, resulting in a cut. Security footage from the St John’s Shopping Centre provided crucial evidence to police, clearly showing the attack in a busy area. Following the assault, Phillips fled the scene, escaping through the Scott Street car park.
Phillips’ defense attorney argued that his client reacted impulsively after the victim made an inappropriate gesture towards Phillips’ girlfriend. The solicitor emphasized that Phillips, while regretting his actions, had been provoked. Second Assault in Bertha Park
The second assault, a mere five months later on December 19th, occurred at a residence in Gib Place, Bertha Park. This time, Phillips attacked a man identified as his ex-partner’s neighbour. The assault escalated beyond punches, with Phillips inflicting a half-inch cut to the victim’s forehead and biting him on the head. In addition to the physical assault, Phillips was also charged with threatening behaviour, shouting, swearing, and damaging two vehicles at the scene. The solicitor explained that the altercation arose from a dispute over personal property. Phillips had gone to the address in Bertha Park in an attempt to retrieve belongings after his ex-partner and her mother repeatedly refused to meet him elsewhere.
The defense highlighted Phillips’ recent efforts to improve his lifestyle and engage positively with the community, making this violent outburst a significant setback in his personal progress. Community Payback Order and Previous Offences
Sheriff Wood, acknowledging Phillips’ prior community payback order and bail conditions active during both assaults, expressed his limited options in sentencing. The Sheriff noted the escalating pattern of violent behaviour, emphasizing that Phillips’ previous attempts at community-based rehabilitation seemed to have been ineffective.
This sentencing follows a previous incident where Phillips engaged in a six-hour standoff with police, falsely claiming his flat was booby-trapped. He has also been involved in an earlier altercation at a local convenience store at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, where he threatened arson after being asked to step back due to coughing. This recent sentencing raises concerns about repeat offending and the effectiveness of community-based rehabilitation efforts for individuals with a history of violent behaviour.
The first incident, taking place on South Street near Ropemaker’s Close on July 18th of the previous year, involved Phillips punching a man in the face, resulting in a cut. Security footage from the St John’s Shopping Centre provided crucial evidence to police, clearly showing the attack in a busy area. Following the assault, Phillips fled the scene, escaping through the Scott Street car park.
Phillips’ defense attorney argued that his client reacted impulsively after the victim made an inappropriate gesture towards Phillips’ girlfriend. The solicitor emphasized that Phillips, while regretting his actions, had been provoked. Second Assault in Bertha Park
The second assault, a mere five months later on December 19th, occurred at a residence in Gib Place, Bertha Park. This time, Phillips attacked a man identified as his ex-partner’s neighbour. The assault escalated beyond punches, with Phillips inflicting a half-inch cut to the victim’s forehead and biting him on the head. In addition to the physical assault, Phillips was also charged with threatening behaviour, shouting, swearing, and damaging two vehicles at the scene. The solicitor explained that the altercation arose from a dispute over personal property. Phillips had gone to the address in Bertha Park in an attempt to retrieve belongings after his ex-partner and her mother repeatedly refused to meet him elsewhere.
The defense highlighted Phillips’ recent efforts to improve his lifestyle and engage positively with the community, making this violent outburst a significant setback in his personal progress. Community Payback Order and Previous Offences
Sheriff Wood, acknowledging Phillips’ prior community payback order and bail conditions active during both assaults, expressed his limited options in sentencing. The Sheriff noted the escalating pattern of violent behaviour, emphasizing that Phillips’ previous attempts at community-based rehabilitation seemed to have been ineffective.
This sentencing follows a previous incident where Phillips engaged in a six-hour standoff with police, falsely claiming his flat was booby-trapped. He has also been involved in an earlier altercation at a local convenience store at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, where he threatened arson after being asked to step back due to coughing. This recent sentencing raises concerns about repeat offending and the effectiveness of community-based rehabilitation efforts for individuals with a history of violent behaviour.