After 15 schooners, Alen Kovac drove to a Brisbane residence and took part in a home invasion that forced a family to leave and never return.
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A dispute between neighbours escalated into a violent attack after Kovac arrived to assist his mates - Russell and his son Trent Hirst - in April 2021, Brisbane District Court was told.
Kovac didn't know much about the rift between the Hirsts and their neighbours, a family of six, but drove to the Bald Hills residence out of a "misguided sense of loyalty".
There had been an ongoing conflict after Russell Hirst, a plasterer, had completed work but had not been paid by the employer of the family's father, the court heard.
The family had received verbal threats from the Hirsts, prompting them to set up CCTV cameras at their home.
In April 2021, the family were outside their house with a friend when Russell Hirst emerged and yelled: "The boys are on their way - the party is about to start."
Kovac arrived and walked over with the Hirsts, "chest bumping" the family's mother who was holding her baby at the time as she tried to call police.
Kovac then abused and assaulted the family friend who was set upon by the Hirsts, the court heard.
Kovac and the Hirsts then turned their attention to the 30-year-old father who was now at the family home.
The trio smashed through a glass sliding door as the father armed himself with a knife and locked himself in a bedroom.
Kovac and the Hirsts then started to break down the bedroom door.
Shards of the door began to break off and cut the father's face, forearm and chest as the Hirsts yelled: "you're f***ed c***".
The trio left after the man thrust the knife through one of the door's holes, with the Hirsts yelling: "Your whole family's f***d - that fortress outside is not going to protect you."
After the police arrived, the family left and did not return, the court heard.
They relocated, selling what had been the family home for 11 years.
"The family sold the house as a direct result of the incident," Judge Paul Smith said.
Kovac later told police he could not recall the assault and was "astounded" to learn that he had been driving that day after drinking 15 schooners.
"It is effectively a drunken crusade ... to assist his mates," defence barrister Matt Jackson said.
The court heard Russell Hirst received a three-and-a-half year jail term and is eligible for parole after serving 12 months, a sentence he has appealed.
His son Trent was sentenced to two years in jail with immediate parole.
Kovac on Friday pleaded guilty to one count each of assault occasioning bodily harm in company and burglary by break using violence in company with property damage.
He received three years in jail, suspended for three years after serving three months.
Australian Associated Press
