<p> Haikerwal State County Court Judge Joe Gullaci today jailed 20-year old Alfer Azzopardi who bashed Mukesh Hairkerwal with serious blows with a baseball bat, for 18-and-a-half years with a minimum of 13-and-a-half years, media reports said today.<br /><br />Former chief of Australian Medical Association Haikerwal was walking through a park in the bayside suburb of Williamstown on September 27 last year when he was set upon and bashed by the men.<br /><br />Another co-accused Michael Baltatzis, 20, of Glenroy, who together with Azzopardi took part in 23 armed robberies over a two-month period, was jailed for 16-and-a-half years and must serve 10-and-a-half years before being eligible for parole.<br /><br />A third man, Sean Gabriel, 20, of Hoppers Crossing, was jailed for nine years and nine months with a minimum of six years, report said.<br /><br />Announcing the sentences, Judge Gullaci dubbed the attacks as cowardly and despicable.<br /><br />"Each of the victims was selected at random, but each had a common feature, that is they were vulnerable and alone and in parks or (other) public places," he was quoted by an AAP report. <br /><br />Haikerwal was not in court for the sentences. The court was told Haikerwal's skull was heard to crack after Azzopardi took a swing like he was "hitting a six at cricket", causing a severe head injury to the doctor.<br /><br />Azzopardi laughed as he fled the scene, before minutes later joining in on an attack on another man.<br /><br />Haikerwal required emergency surgery and was placed in an induced coma for 24 hours. He remained in hospital for many weeks.<br /><br />The attack came towards the end of a two-month armed robbery spree by Azzopardi and the group that involved more than 30 victims.<br /><br />One of their victims was told: "If you scream or cry, I will kill you". Many of the targets were of Indian or Asian origin.<br /><br />Welcoming the judgement, Sydney based cardiologist Yadu Singh said "It is a very good move and will send a strong message to such criminals that were attacking people for no reason.<br /><br />"Singh said such criminals needed to be kept away for a long time from society," Singh said.</p>
<p> Haikerwal State County Court Judge Joe Gullaci today jailed 20-year old Alfer Azzopardi who bashed Mukesh Hairkerwal with serious blows with a baseball bat, for 18-and-a-half years with a minimum of 13-and-a-half years, media reports said today.<br /><br />Former chief of Australian Medical Association Haikerwal was walking through a park in the bayside suburb of Williamstown on September 27 last year when he was set upon and bashed by the men.<br /><br />Another co-accused Michael Baltatzis, 20, of Glenroy, who together with Azzopardi took part in 23 armed robberies over a two-month period, was jailed for 16-and-a-half years and must serve 10-and-a-half years before being eligible for parole.<br /><br />A third man, Sean Gabriel, 20, of Hoppers Crossing, was jailed for nine years and nine months with a minimum of six years, report said.<br /><br />Announcing the sentences, Judge Gullaci dubbed the attacks as cowardly and despicable.<br /><br />"Each of the victims was selected at random, but each had a common feature, that is they were vulnerable and alone and in parks or (other) public places," he was quoted by an AAP report. <br /><br />Haikerwal was not in court for the sentences. The court was told Haikerwal's skull was heard to crack after Azzopardi took a swing like he was "hitting a six at cricket", causing a severe head injury to the doctor.<br /><br />Azzopardi laughed as he fled the scene, before minutes later joining in on an attack on another man.<br /><br />Haikerwal required emergency surgery and was placed in an induced coma for 24 hours. He remained in hospital for many weeks.<br /><br />The attack came towards the end of a two-month armed robbery spree by Azzopardi and the group that involved more than 30 victims.<br /><br />One of their victims was told: "If you scream or cry, I will kill you". Many of the targets were of Indian or Asian origin.<br /><br />Welcoming the judgement, Sydney based cardiologist Yadu Singh said "It is a very good move and will send a strong message to such criminals that were attacking people for no reason.<br /><br />"Singh said such criminals needed to be kept away for a long time from society," Singh said.</p>