AMONGST the usual smattering of speeding infractions and lost driving licenses, assault cases were the order of the day when court came to session at the Mansfield Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 2 April.

The first of the assault cases heard was that of a Merrijig local alleged to have assaulted a bouncer at a 'techno party' in Melbourne's CBD.

The defendant was reported to have attempted to force access into the backstage area before being confronted by and allegedly assaulting the member of security staff.

The defendant's legal representation pointed out that their client has recently come to the realisation that drinking gets them into trouble and they have now stopped.

While the magistrate acknowledged these claims she countered that there was simply no evidence to support them.

Pointing to the defendant's long list of priors and history with substances, the magistrate handed down a $2000 fine with conviction.

The second case was that of a 19 year old male who attacked an ex-colleague at Jamieson Brewery in August 2024.

Said to have approached the victim while he was outside smoking a cigarette, the defendant began pulled the victim's shirt over his head before he began repeatedly punching him.

The assault only ended when the victim managed to force his fingers into the eyes of the defendant to deter him.

The magistrate told the defendant that the victim said they feared for their life during the attack given people have died in the past as a result of these kind of attacks.

"Given your age, your lack of priors and the fact you have now moved away from the area and found employment, I am ordering you to participate in an alcohol awareness program," the magistrate said.

"I would also like to see you take part in 12 months of counselling as these impulses can reoccur later in life to dire effect.

"If, by May 2026, you have done every thing I have asked of you, you will be free to get on with your life with no criminal record.

"You will not be granted another diversion."

Elsewhere the magistrate thoroughly chastised a man for playing his part in 'two bogans in the street punching on over a 10-pack of wild turkey' in Eildon, asserting that such behaviour has no place in a location so dependent on the tourism dollar to survive.

She also warned of the dangers young men can face when driving fast cars as she suspended a driver's licence.

"You are lucky you are appearing before me here and not down in Melbourne where the discussion would not be whether you go to jail, but for how long," she said.