A JUDGE has sent a former Bandidos motorcycle gang member to jail for assault after discovering his claim not to have a criminal record was incorrect.
David John McKinnon, 53, of Nubeena, pleaded guilty to assaulting his daughter's boyfriend in a terrifying 30-minute attack.
McKinnon's daughter had an argument with her boyfriend on September 29 last year and walked home alone from the city. She was accosted by a man along the way who tried to undress her.
When she arrived home she called her parents to take her to their home at Nubeena.
Unhappy his daughter had been left to walk home alone from the city, McKinnon went to North Hobart later that morning and told his daughter's boyfriend to get in his car.
As he drove to the Rosny Lookout, McKinnon verbally abused and repeatedly punched the victim in the face. Blood was spattered on the car's dashboard and windows.
The man suffered fractured nasal bones, bruising and swelling. He continued to suffer from insomnia, anxiety and fear of being attacked again.
The couple broke up after the attack.
A court hearing last week heard McKinnon had no prior convictions -- not even a speeding fine -- and had overreacted.
But yesterday, prosecutor Kate Brown revealed McKinnon's record of convictions from Queensland that included drug and firearms offences, possession of stolen property and stealing with violence while armed and in company, for which he was given a five-year suspended jail term.
Chief Justice Alan Blow said he had been planning to sentence McKinnon to a lengthy period of community service, but a criminal record changed matters. "This was a serious assault. It was lucky you didn't cause more damage than you did," he said.
He jailed McKinnon for six months, but suspended the last three months on the condition he be of good behaviour for one year on his release.
