In short:

A former bikie has been jailed for punching a good Samaritan as he tried to intervene in a domestic argument in 2021.

The sentencing judge told Danny Rapley the single punch had forever changed the life of his victim, who could no longer eat or walk independently. 

What’s next?

Rapley will be eligible for parole in mid-2026, after time already served. 

A former Comanchero bikie has been jailed for punching a good Samaritan in the face when he tried to intervene in a domestic argument outside a supermarket in 2021.

District Court Judge Karen Thomas told Danny Rapley the single punch had forever changed the life of his victim, who could no longer walk or eat and needed 24-hour care after suffering a severe brain injury.

“[His] life has been ruined,” she told Rapley during sentencing.

Rapley was given a head sentence of just under five-and-a-half years but will be eligible to apply for parole in mid-2026, after time already served.

She said Rapley, 45, and his partner were involved in a “heated verbal and physical argument” in the car park of the Drakes supermarket at Salisbury North on March 21, 2021.

The court heard a man was walking through the car park when he heard the altercation and attempted to intervene as it escalated.

“Without any forewarning, you turned around and deliberately and intentionally punched him in the face,” Judge Thomas said.

“As a result of your punch, he fell back, hitting his head on the pavement.”

Judge Thomas said the victim’s injuries were life-threatening and resulted in a 40-day stay at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. He was then transferred to the Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre at Northfield.

The victim was airlifted at the time of the assault in 2021. (Picture: Braeden Gatt/News Media Network)

“The people close to him say he can no longer walk, get out of bed, write, go to the bathroom on his own. His meals are liquid formula delivered through a feeding tube,” she said.

“His quality of life completely depends on those around him.

“It’s said your offending has caused grief, confusion, panic attacks and fear for his family members. The effects of your offending are far-reaching.”

Judge Thomas said Rapley had previously been jailed on 12 occasions for violence, drugs, and firearms offences.

“You have a disturbing pattern of violence in your criminal history,” she said.

But she said Rapley accepted his criminal offending was linked to drug abuse and he was taking positive steps to address that while in prison.

She said Rapley had completed a Certificate II in construction while in jail and wanted to get into the building industry once released.

But Judge Thomas said she was “cautious” about his prospects of rehabilitation.