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Thugs boasted of bashing

James Macready-Bryan was left permanently brain-damaged after the brutal attack in a city laneway last October 13 -- his 20th birthday.

Daniel Michael Harrell, 20, and Corey Reed, 18, pleaded guilty in the County Court yesterday to the violent onslaught, in which they hunted down Mr Macready-Bryan and his friend, Adrian Smith, after an earlier altercation in a nearby street.

The court heard Mr Macready-Bryan was now unable to move, talk or feed himself, and lived in a high-care residential centre.

"The beautiful, talented, gregarious young man I loved so much was effectively killed on his 20th birthday," his mother, Robyn Macready-Bryan, said in a statement read to the court.

"No parent should have to witness their adult son transformed into a helpless baby.

"His body remains, but his mind and personality are gone forever. He will never be able to do the things he planned. He will never marry, nor have children. I grieve for all his lost potential."

The court heard Harrell, who has a long criminal history, and Reed were "pretty drunk" after sharing a 750ml bottle of vodka and smoking marijuana before travelling from Croxton train station to the city with friends.

Mr Macready-Bryan also caught a train to the city that night, having earlier drunk about four beers at a football club night at the Geebung Hotel in Hawthorn.

Mr Macready-Bryan, who was celebrating his birthday, met Mr Smith at Flinders St station and they walked towards King St.

Prosecutor Gabriele Cannon told the court Mr Macready-Bryan greeted two girls in Harrell and Reed's group when the two parties passed each other in Queen St.

Reed's girlfriend made a loud grunt in response, to which Mr Macready-Bryan responded, "off slut", Ms Cannon said.

A scuffle ensued, during which Mr Macready-Bryan's head was pushed against a wall by Reed and Harrell before onlookers yelled at them to stop.

But the court heard Reed and Harrell followed their two victims, eventually cornering them in a dead-end alley.

Harrell punched Mr Smith in the face and then hit Mr Macready-Bryan, who fell back and hit the ground.

As Harrell and Reed ran away, Mr Smith performed CPR on his friend, who had stopped breathing.

The court heard the two offenders bought a six-pack of beer, then met friends near Flinders St station.

The court saw surveillance footage of Harrell performing a re-enactment of the assault, demonstrating to friends how he struck Mr Macready-Bryan.

Harrell and Reed were arrested soon afterwards.

Harrell later told police he got "revved up" when drunk.

"I think I might have landed one punch," he said.

Harrell and Reed held their heads in their hands as the court saw a five-minute film of the incapacitated Mr Macready-Bryan being helped in a wheelchair by his parents.

Ms Cannon said Mr Macready-Bryan's parents wanted the two prisoners to see the video, "to bring the reality home".

The court heard Harrell's criminal history included four counts of armed robbery.

On three occasions he was sentenced to terms in a youth training centre, and he was on parole when he attacked Mr Macready-Bryan.

Lawyer Richard Backwell, for Harrell, urged Judge Roy Punshon to impose a maximum three-year sentence in a youth training centre on his client, rather than adult prison.

Mr Backwell said Harrell had displayed immense remorse and had suffered an unhappy childhood, which included chronic domestic violence at the hands of his stepfather.

Harrell, of Reservoir, pleaded guilty to three charges including affray, assault on Mr Smith, and intentionally causing serious injury to Mr Macready-Bryan.

Reed, of Reservoir, pleaded guilty to charges of affray and intentionally causing serious injury. The pre-sentence hearing continues today.