Argument over cigarette lighter leads to attack by Albany man outside nightclub

A 25-year-old man who assaulted another man over a cigarette lighter after he left an Albany nightclub will have to be on his best behaviour for the next eight months. Harley Mathew Craig Dayman, 25, appeared in Albany Magistrate’s Court last Thursday where he pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm. Prosecuting Sergeant Alan Dean told the court that on August 23, Dayman had been drinking at Studio 146. He confronted the victim over a cigarette lighter at the corner of Stirling Terrace and York Street about 2am, Sgt Dean said. “He’s put his right fist to the victim’s face causing them to fall and almost hit their head on the concrete,” Sgt Dean told the court. Dayman then ran from the scene with police officers initiating a foot chase. The victim received injuries to his jaw and a cut to the inside of his cheek. Dayman, who represented himself in court, said the victim had approached him. “He asked for a lighter, I reacted badly,” Dayman said. “I did drink way too much. I did wrong and I shouldn’t have. I can handle situations like this. The alcohol got the better of me.” Sgt Dean said it was clear Dayman was remorseful. “It’s a clear overreaction about a cigarette lighter. It’s lucky the ramifications weren’t more significant,” he told the court. Magistrate Raelene Johnston said the assault was a “potentially lethal situation”. “There are too many examples in the media where people suffer an injury because of one blow,” she said. “You were intoxicated which impaired your judgment and the amount of force used. “You clearly have alcohol issues you need to sort out.” Dayman was placed on an eight-month community-based order.