Jail after man’s attack on Thredbo boss while dresses as Chewbacca
A man has been jailed for more than two years for bashing the boss of a Thredbo ski resort after he was kicked off the slopes for bizarre behaviour while dressed up as a Star Wars character.
Nearly four years ago Keith Wass took to the slopes dressed as Chewbacca and he was a crowd favourite before two parents complained about his bizarre behaviour.
Thredbo CEO Jordan Rodgers told Wass he was being kicked off the slopes, the resort boss was then knocked unconscious with a snowboard, needing surgery to remove part of a tooth from his cheek.
In a victim impact statement, Rodgers said the the attack changed him forever.
“I experience anxiety whenever Star Wars is mentioned … I am forever looking over my shoulder, imagining someone might be coming from behind”.
Wass identifies as a “Pastafarian” and the colander he wore on his head to court is a symbol for the satirical Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
It was agreed in court that he suffers from mental health issues, but the judge refused to accept that as an excuse for the attack.
Wass was sentenced to a maximum two years and four months behind bars.
He refused to do community service which effectively ruled him out of a suspended sentence.
He will be eligible for parole in October next year.
