A teenager has pleaded guilty to bashing a man to the point he was placed in an induced coma at a Dee Why reserve earlier this year.
Joseph Woodward, 18, was arrested and charged with assaulting a 47-year-old man at James Meehan Reserve, 2 June, and has been incarcerated since. The teen previously pleaded not guilty to the offence. However after evidence was presented including forensic DNA found at the crime scene and Woodward’s admissions to a friend from prison calls obtained by police, the Dee Why teen pleaded guilty to Reckless wounding in company.
The assault occurred on 29 May 2026. The victim left his Dee Why apartment just before 10pm that night to confront the group over loud music playing – an apparent recurrence- court documents reveal. He was immediately struck in the head twice and beaten on the ground.
A witness then saw the man stumble off the reserve towards Dee Why beachfront before he disappeared into the darkness. Another passerby found the victim collapsed and calling for help around 11pm. It was reported he had a broken eye socket, bleeding on the brain, two large cuts to the top of his head, cuts inside his mouth, swelling to his face, contusions to his lungs and a broken right ankle. He was intubated and placed in a medically induced coma.
The man has since been discharged from hospital but has been readmitted twice due to seizures triggered by his injuries. He has also been unable to return to work as a result and continues to be treated by a neurologist.
Police assessed the crime scene, finding a large amount of blood, numerous alcohol bottles, an iPhone and a pair of black-rimmed glasses – which police say had both the victim’s and Woodward’s DNA on them.
Woodward also made numerous comments about the assault in Dee Why through prison phone calls, which were obtained with a warrant, according to the facts document. Further prison calls revealed another assault, the teen punching a Manly Kebabs store worker in the mouth just over an hour after the initial incident in Dee Why.
At around 11:30pm, the 18-year-old entered the store, Manly Kebabs (Manly Seaside Kebabs), located at 102 The Corso, wearing a hoodie and verbally abusing workers while grabbing a staff member’s phone, stating it was his. He left the store and returned half an hour later with similar accusations before throwing pizza that was on display around the store. A staff member called 000 and attempted to escort the teen out of the store from behind the counter but was struck in the head by Woodward.
A small brawl ensued in self-defence, knocking off the teen’s hoodie and revealing his identity clearly on CCTV. On 7 July 2026, he made admissions to a friend via a call, saying, “I bashed up a kebab worker for no reason,” indicating he believed he had left his phone at the store.
The kebab worker received a cut to his mouth, splitting his lip.
Woodward has pleaded guilty to Assault occasioning bodily harm.
Woodward will return to Manly Local Court for sentencing on 28 October 2026.
