Sidney Brady was an independent 89-year-old man until he was savagely beaten in a senseless attack during a home invasion, by Allan Ronald Poland.
Since the horrifying ordeal in October 2011, the elderly man spent two months in hospital, swapped his walking stick for a frame and now lives under the full-time care of his daughter and son-in-law.
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| 89-year-old Sidney Brady after vicious bashing by Aboriginal, Allan Ronald Poland |
His attacker, Poland, 32 at the time, was sentenced in the West Australian District Court to 16 years and four months in prison after being convicted earlier in 2013 by a jury.
There is also a lifetime restraining order placed against him so he cannot contact his victim, who was aged 91 at the time of the trial.
Members of Mr Brady’s family wept in court as details of the crime were explained.
The court heard Mr Brady was dog-sitting his daughter’s sick pet while she and her husband went out for the evening when he was attacked in the couple’s home.
In sentencing, Judge Troy Sweeney said it was a sustained beating probably involving at least two weapons that caused bruising, swelling and bleeding all over Mr Brady’s body.
He permanently lost sight in one eye and suffered a life-threatening trauma to his brain, the court heard.
“These injuries look extremely painful,” Judge Sweeney said.
“He was savagely beaten.”
Judge Sweeney noted Mr Brady was vulnerable and defenceless during the “senselessly excessive” attack, only asking the man not to hurt the dog, which was suffering from cancer.
Poland also ransacked the home as if he had “all the time in the world” until he was caught outside when Mr Brady’s family returned home. He pretended to be looking for a taxi, Judge Sweeney said.
“You were caught red-handed but you were cunning enough to pretend you were an innocent bystander,” she said.
The judge also noted that although Mr Brady did not remember the incident well, he had lasting effects from it and his daughter also suffered from post-traumatic stress and depression.
Judge Sweeney referred to Poland’s long history of violence and robbery, adding he was not remorseful for this crime.
Poland will be eligible for parole after serving 14 years and four months in jail.