A brutal, drug-fueled attack in suburban South Australia has left a close-knit friendship destroyed and a victim facing lifelong disability, culminating in a nearly eight-year prison sentence for the perpetrator. Phonexaysack Rawatxay, a 49-year-old father of three from Blakeview, was handed down the sentence this week in Adelaide District Court for the sustained samurai sword attack on his long-time close friend, identified only as DB, in April 2023.
The court heard that DB had been staying overnight at Rawatxay’s home when he suffered a sudden hypoglycaemic attack on the living room sofa around midday. After moving into Rawatxay’s bedroom to rest, Rawatxay returned from a 10 to 15 minute drive out with his wife, two of his children and an additional friend. In the small enclosed space of the bedroom, Rawatxay drew his personal samurai sword and swung it multiple times at the unsuspecting DB. The blade struck DB repeatedly before a final blow slammed into the wooden bedhead, leaving significant damage to the furniture.
While the exact trigger for the unprovoked attack remains unconfirmed, court documents outline the devastating extent of DB’s injuries. The victim suffered deep lacerations across his scalp, collarbone, neck, forearm and hand, with the sword actually striking his skull bone. DB’s left forearm bore a gaping 20cm by 10cm gash, while his neck was cut by a 15cm laceration. The damage to his hand was so severe that surgeons required eight hours of reconstructive surgery to repair the tissue at Royal Adelaide Hospital. Judge Michael Durrant noted in his sentencing remarks that DB was “extremely fortunate” to have survived the attack with his life.
During court proceedings, Rawatxay pleaded not guilty to the charge of aggravated recklessly causing serious harm, arguing he had acted in self-defense. However, Judge Durrant rejected this claim and found Rawatxay guilty beyond reasonable doubt after a short trial, noting that the acts of swinging the sword were voluntary, deliberate, and clearly carried out with reckless disregard for DB’s safety.
In pre-sentencing interviews, Rawatxay admitted that he was under the heavy influence of methylamphetamine at the time of the attack, stating he was unable to think clearly and could not recall any clear motive for the violence beyond the drug-induced impairment. Court records also revealed that Rawataxay was a chronic meth user, reporting that he injected the drug three to five times daily by November 2023, which Judge Durrant classified as “significant abuse.” The judge also acknowledged that Rawatxay expressed genuine remorse for the attack and regretted the end of his longstanding friendship with DB.
Victim impact statements submitted to the court painted a picture of permanent, life-altering harm for DB. The attack left him with lasting physical scars, chronic emotional distress and ongoing psychological trauma that has upended every area of his life. He can no longer work to provide for his family, participate in recreational sports he once enjoyed, or even complete basic daily tasks independently. Most devastatingly, the hand injury has left DB unable to hold his own newborn son.
“You have significantly altered his life. He will carry the scars and permanent impact from this offending for the rest of his life,” Judge Durrant wrote in his sentencing remarks.
In the end, Rawatxay was sentenced to seven years, 11 months and 19 days in state prison. A separate court order also required the offending samurai sword to be forfeited and destroyed by authorities.