Curtly James Hodge punched and kicked man

Justice Robert Pearce told Curtly James Hodge that there was no reason for the assault apart from "arrogant thuggery".

"You have demonstrated no remorse," he said.

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Hodge, who was on bail at the time of the crime, pleaded guilty to Criminal Code assault after initially being charged by police with aggravated armed robbery.

Justice Pearce said Wayne Walker visited a female friend in Foster Street, Invermay, on July 4, 2019, where Hodge and another male were present.

After being asked to help Mr Walker began washing-up for the female friend and suggested to Hodge "Curtly you should help wipe up".

Hodge said "what did you say" and began punching and kicking the man and yelling abuse in the small kitchen of the house.

The court heard that Hodge bent over and punched him in the face while he was on the floor.

The friend of Hodge allegedly grabbed scissors and threatened: "If you get up I will stab you".

Mr Walker's wallet, phone and keys were stolen and Hodge threatened to burn Mr Walker's house down if he rang police.

The court heard that Mr Walker suffered bruises to the face and chest.

In a victim impact statement he said he had lost his job after being unable to attend work because of the injuries which had taken three months to heal.

"This wrecked my whole world because when this happened I was on a roll and had just started working," he said.

"I was stuck in a tiny little kitchen with no chance of escape and that made me feel helpless."

Justice Pearce said Hodge had become a heavy user of cannabis and amphetamine and had spent a large part of the period from 2015 to 2018 in detention or prison for crimes such as aggravated robbery, assault and stealing.

He said Hodge had rejected many attempts by authorities to help and unless he learned to change and accept responsibility he would spend long periods of his life in prison.

He backdated the sentence to November 21, 2019 when Hodge was arrested.

A non parole period of 16 months was set.