Bunnings customer suffers from injury after a sudden, 'excessive' attack

It's a scenario that seems more akin to a horror movie than a trip to your local hardware store.

For one unsuspecting couple, a routine visit to Bunnings Warehouse turned into a nightmare that would leave physical and psychological scars.


On an ordinary morning last 11 March 2022, shoppers at the Bunnings Warehouse in South Penrith were going about their business when violence struck without warning.

Christopher Dent, a man under the influence of drugs, picked up an axe from the store's shelves.

In a drug-induced haze, Dent attacked a stranger from behind, causing a three-centimetre laceration to the victim's head and knocking him unconscious.


compressed-pexels-axe.jpeg
Christopher Dent used an axe to knock an innocent customer out. Image Credit: Pexels/César Guillotel


A Bunnings employee reportedly heard a 'loud crack’—a noise that echoed the shock and fear that rippled through the store.

Dent, described as having a 'blank stare', walked away from the scene, leaving bystanders in disbelief over the sudden violence.

The aftermath of the attack was as shocking as the incident.


The victim, who had been shopping with his wife, also suffered from a concussion.

The victim experienced ongoing headaches, dizziness, and a constant ringing in his ears, indicative of hearing loss.

The psychological toll was heavy, as the victim was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, memory loss, and post-concussion syndrome.

Justice Richard Weinstein presided over Dent’s case.

Justice Weinstein described the attack as 'significant and unprovoked', which emphasised the long-term harm inflicted on a stranger.

Dent admitted to the authorities that he was high on ice at the time of the attack.

However, Dent suggested that the drug might have been 'laced' with something else, as it made him paranoid and altered his behaviour.


Dent was sentenced to five years and four months imprisonment, with a non-parole period of four years.

Dent appealed the sentence and claimed that it was 'excessive'.

However, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal.

‘As has been repeatedly said in this court, there is no one correct sentence,’ Justice Weinstein said.

‘In my opinion, His Honour (Judge Craig Everson) balanced all sentencing considerations and arrived at a sentence that was neither unreasonable nor unjust and was within the range of available sentences.’

This incident raised critical questions about public safety.

It also raised concerns about individuals needing help when struggling with substance abuse.

For vulnerable community members, it's a stark reminder of the unpredictability of public spaces and the need for vigilance.
Key Takeaways

  • A man was attacked with an axe by a stranger while shopping at Bunnings in South Penrith.
  • The assailant, Christopher Dent, was sentenced to over five years in prison but appealed the sentence.
  • The victim suffered serious injuries, including a three-centimetre laceration on his head, and long-term effects like PTSD and post-concussion syndrome.
  • The attack was described by Justice Weinstein as ‘significant and unprovoked’, which resulted in long-term harm to the victim.
Have you or someone you know been affected by a similar incident? How did you cope, and what advice would you give to others? Your insights could be invaluable to someone in our community facing their own challenges, so please share them with us in the comments below.
 

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I have spent 39 years working in the 'legal system' and I have formulated a number of ideas about its worth, failures and the people who administer sentencing. Some of which follow: Magistrates fought to wear 'black robes' because they all watch Judge Judy and others in Yankee land and wanted to be like them. District, Supreme and High Court Judges worry if their wigs are on straight and their robes are neatly pressed. Barristers are the same, Solicitors, in my experience and what I have seen, including arresting some of them are as corrupt as some of the criminals they represent. Listen to some of these Judges in their 'summing up' speeches, they dribble on telling the Court that the matter they are dealing with is 'one of the worst they have seen in their career.. this dribble lasts longer than the 'sentence they hand down. The 'administers of justice' have forgotten that a victim exists in all this and they are quickly brushed aside because the accused had a 'bad childhood, or he wasn't allowed to have a pet, or the barman at the pub forced him to drink 273 schooners of beer before he drove, his drug addiction was forced on him by his peers and the best and most common 'excuse' used, and this is now the new 'norm', his legal rep. wants a mental health report on his client who, had suddenly developed numerous 'mental health issues', that had never been diagnosed before in his lifetime. Lastly Ministers, do-gooders and so-called experts, get a lookin. When legal Legistration is being drafted, these people, including the Legal Advisors within the Parliament help with the drafting. Some/maybe all of them, shouldn't be allowed near a pen and paper... I have seen many new laws come into force and then within a matter of months, they had to be 'fixed' as they were full of 'loop-holes', vague and/or open to interpretation which made them unworkable. I will only mention one example of this, it was in NSW, the Premier Wran, repealed the Summary Offences Act and replaced it with the Offences in Public Places Act. It was pointed out to the Premier that this new Act was unworkable at many levels, failed to cover most of the offences that were listed in the original Act and was grossly open to interpretation making it almost impossible to get a conviction when the matter was brought to Court. The 'new Act' had to be severely modified with new ammendants which saw most of the original Act brought back in. I have said a lot, and definately not all, however, when I joined 'the job' I was sitting in the paddy wagon between a Sergeant and a Sen.Const. when the Sergeant asked me 'what I thought my role was.' I replied, 'For truth and justice the Aust. way.' His reply, 'Don't be a smart arse son, your job is to arrest them and put them before the Court, whatever happens after that you have no control over.' He was absolutely correct and from what I have witnessed over the years is, it has been breaking down faster and faster with the crime rate increasing and more and more criminals getting 'off' under a host of 'excuses'. The 'symbol of justice' is a lady, holding scales, a sword and wearing a blindfold, I think the blindfold is the most used item out of all of them.
Sorry about the length, if I have something to say, I say it..... have a great day.
So true!
I think the judge's biggest concern is to prevent overcrowding the already overcrowded jails!
 
In my opinion, if somebody grabs a hand axe and hits somebody else on the head with it from behind, the intent is to kill, nothing less. So, the charge is attempted murder.

The whole idea that the person was under the influence of drugs at the time should be no excuse because they willingly took the drug, knowing it is illegal, and went on to attack somebody else that is completely innocent. I am personally against the concept that a person under the influence of drugs or alcohol is somehow less responsible for their actions than a person who is 'straight'. It creates legal loopholes during sentencing that should not exist. The reality is that the perpetrator willingly took the drugs or alcohol knowing that it would influence their behaviour. So whatever crimes that might be committed under that influence ought not to be reduced in any way, especially if the drug taken is an illicit drug that they acquired intending to use it for that very purpose (i.e. to get 'high', 'stoned', drunk, or whatever). Our world would be a much safer place if the rights of victims were the primary considerations in law.
Absolutely agree with every one of your comments. Forced drug use (done to one by another person) is different but when one knowingly and willingly takes drugs or drinks to the point of being ‘totally out to it’ is no excuse for their actions. Our justice system needs to ‘buck’ up and hand out proper sentences. No more of this nonsense of ‘this is your first crime so we’ll be lenient or give you a smack on the wrist and be a good boy/girl’.
 
I have spent 39 years working in the 'legal system' and I have formulated a number of ideas about its worth, failures and the people who administer sentencing. Some of which follow: Magistrates fought to wear 'black robes' because they all watch Judge Judy and others in Yankee land and wanted to be like them. District, Supreme and High Court Judges worry if their wigs are on straight and their robes are neatly pressed. Barristers are the same, Solicitors, in my experience and what I have seen, including arresting some of them are as corrupt as some of the criminals they represent. Listen to some of these Judges in their 'summing up' speeches, they dribble on telling the Court that the matter they are dealing with is 'one of the worst they have seen in their career.. this dribble lasts longer than the 'sentence they hand down. The 'administers of justice' have forgotten that a victim exists in all this and they are quickly brushed aside because the accused had a 'bad childhood, or he wasn't allowed to have a pet, or the barman at the pub forced him to drink 273 schooners of beer before he drove, his drug addiction was forced on him by his peers and the best and most common 'excuse' used, and this is now the new 'norm', his legal rep. wants a mental health report on his client who, had suddenly developed numerous 'mental health issues', that had never been diagnosed before in his lifetime. Lastly Ministers, do-gooders and so-called experts, get a lookin. When legal Legistration is being drafted, these people, including the Legal Advisors within the Parliament help with the drafting. Some/maybe all of them, shouldn't be allowed near a pen and paper... I have seen many new laws come into force and then within a matter of months, they had to be 'fixed' as they were full of 'loop-holes', vague and/or open to interpretation which made them unworkable. I will only mention one example of this, it was in NSW, the Premier Wran, repealed the Summary Offences Act and replaced it with the Offences in Public Places Act. It was pointed out to the Premier that this new Act was unworkable at many levels, failed to cover most of the offences that were listed in the original Act and was grossly open to interpretation making it almost impossible to get a conviction when the matter was brought to Court. The 'new Act' had to be severely modified with new ammendants which saw most of the original Act brought back in. I have said a lot, and definately not all, however, when I joined 'the job' I was sitting in the paddy wagon between a Sergeant and a Sen.Const. when the Sergeant asked me 'what I thought my role was.' I replied, 'For truth and justice the Aust. way.' His reply, 'Don't be a smart arse son, your job is to arrest them and put them before the Court, whatever happens after that you have no control over.' He was absolutely correct and from what I have witnessed over the years is, it has been breaking down faster and faster with the crime rate increasing and more and more criminals getting 'off' under a host of 'excuses'. The 'symbol of justice' is a lady, holding scales, a sword and wearing a blindfold, I think the blindfold is the most used item out of all of them.
Sorry about the length, if I have something to say, I say it..... have a great day.
I just love all the information you have given here from a police point of view and what you obviously witnessed during your career. I agree that our justice system is weak, weak, weak. I worked in a police headquarters job for 14 years - although it was in an administration role, but I have also seen a lot in that time. Police do their job and then the justice system lets them down allowing the perpetrators to walk free.
 
In my opinion, if somebody grabs a hand axe and hits somebody else on the head with it from behind, the intent is to kill, nothing less. So, the charge is attempted murder.

The whole idea that the person was under the influence of drugs at the time should be no excuse because they willingly took the drug, knowing it is illegal, and went on to attack somebody else that is completely innocent. I am personally against the concept that a person under the influence of drugs or alcohol is somehow less responsible for their actions than a person who is 'straight'. It creates legal loopholes during sentencing that should not exist. The reality is that the perpetrator willingly took the drugs or alcohol knowing that it would influence their behaviour. So whatever crimes that might be committed under that influence ought not to be reduced in any way, especially if the drug taken is an illicit drug that they acquired intending to use it for that very purpose (i.e. to get 'high', 'stoned', drunk, or whatever). Our world would be a much safer place if the rights of victims were the primary considerations in law.
So very well worded & no doubt how most individuals would feel about this disgusting result from the court's legal system!

The way things are going, the public are gonna start to need guns & weapons, etc just to defend themselves as in USA & that'd be a step backwards
 
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The victims of crime are always the ones that come off second best. They do not choose to be a victim, especially when they are going about their daily lives. The perpetrator of a crime regardless of drug effects, choose to commit the crime, the victim does not. Our laws and punishments are all in favour of the perpetrator who can have all the excuses under the sun, but the victim has little consideration and ends up paying for the rest of their lives psychologically or physically or both.
Yes. A druggy completely trashed our caravan, just prior to a much anticipated trip. No thought to the inconvenience and cost to us. He admitted to using a needle just prior. Just a slap on the wrist. It’s out of control
 
  • Sad
Reactions: mOiOz
I have spent 39 years working in the 'legal system' and I have formulated a number of ideas about its worth, failures and the people who administer sentencing. Some of which follow: Magistrates fought to wear 'black robes' because they all watch Judge Judy and others in Yankee land and wanted to be like them. District, Supreme and High Court Judges worry if their wigs are on straight and their robes are neatly pressed. Barristers are the same, Solicitors, in my experience and what I have seen, including arresting some of them are as corrupt as some of the criminals they represent. Listen to some of these Judges in their 'summing up' speeches, they dribble on telling the Court that the matter they are dealing with is 'one of the worst they have seen in their career.. this dribble lasts longer than the 'sentence they hand down. The 'administers of justice' have forgotten that a victim exists in all this and they are quickly brushed aside because the accused had a 'bad childhood, or he wasn't allowed to have a pet, or the barman at the pub forced him to drink 273 schooners of beer before he drove, his drug addiction was forced on him by his peers and the best and most common 'excuse' used, and this is now the new 'norm', his legal rep. wants a mental health report on his client who, had suddenly developed numerous 'mental health issues', that had never been diagnosed before in his lifetime. Lastly Ministers, do-gooders and so-called experts, get a lookin. When legal Legistration is being drafted, these people, including the Legal Advisors within the Parliament help with the drafting. Some/maybe all of them, shouldn't be allowed near a pen and paper... I have seen many new laws come into force and then within a matter of months, they had to be 'fixed' as they were full of 'loop-holes', vague and/or open to interpretation which made them unworkable. I will only mention one example of this, it was in NSW, the Premier Wran, repealed the Summary Offences Act and replaced it with the Offences in Public Places Act. It was pointed out to the Premier that this new Act was unworkable at many levels, failed to cover most of the offences that were listed in the original Act and was grossly open to interpretation making it almost impossible to get a conviction when the matter was brought to Court. The 'new Act' had to be severely modified with new ammendants which saw most of the original Act brought back in. I have said a lot, and definately not all, however, when I joined 'the job' I was sitting in the paddy wagon between a Sergeant and a Sen.Const. when the Sergeant asked me 'what I thought my role was.' I replied, 'For truth and justice the Aust. way.' His reply, 'Don't be a smart arse son, your job is to arrest them and put them before the Court, whatever happens after that you have no control over.' He was absolutely correct and from what I have witnessed over the years is, it has been breaking down faster and faster with the crime rate increasing and more and more criminals getting 'off' under a host of 'excuses'. The 'symbol of justice' is a lady, holding scales, a sword and wearing a blindfold, I think the blindfold is the most used item out of all of them.
Sorry about the length, if I have something to say, I say it..... have a great day.
Thank you for a very honest post. My biggest gripe is that under age get away with anything, they know it and act accordingly. If their young brains are not fully developed until the early twenties it is even more important to make them live within the constraints more mature minds have decided needs to be the norm. We need to protect the law abiding citizens.
 

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