The court heard Watts and his co-offender had become involved in an argument — which escalated to a physical confrontation on the street — after a barbecue in the front yard of a Yorkshire Cres, Shepparton, home on December 12, 2020.
Watts stabbed two men who were taken to The Alfred Hospital by air ambulance.
He stabbed one of the men three times, leaving him with a 3cm stab wound tracking at least 5cm, a 6cm stab wound that was at least 5cm deep, and a 10cm stab wound.
The man also had subcutaneous emphysema — air trapped under his skin — a minimally displaced rib fracture, a spleen laceration and blood in his abdominal cavity.
He was monitored in the intensive care unit after needing surgery to repair his diaphragm injury.
The other man Watts stabbed had a wound that was 15cm deep, and abrasions to his chest and neck.
He was in hospital for four days after needing emergency exploratory surgery.
In sentencing Watts, Judge Robyn Harper acknowledged that the two men confronted him, however called his offending “excessive and disproportionate”.
“Your response was extreme. You intended to cause injury,” she said.
She acknowledged Watts had accepted responsibility and shown some form of remorse after his genuine participation in the Koori Court sentencing conversation.
A community corrections order assessment found Watts to be a “high risk of further offending”; however, Judge Harper said Watts’ prospects of rehabilitation were “contingent on you remaining drug free and engaging with supports”.
A psychological report assessed Watts to have an acquired brain injury and be “severely psychologically distressed” with a “complex clinical picture”.
Judge Harper noted Watts’ formative years were “marred” by early drug abuse, and the case would’ve been “hanging over your head for some time” due to the offending being in 2020.
However, she called Watts’ behaviour “unacceptable”.
“You’re actions were so excessive and disproportionate that I must impose an immediate period of imprisonment,” Judge Harper said.
Watts was sentenced to 12 months in prison to be followed by an 18-month community corrections order.
As part of the order, Watts must undergo drug and mental health treatment and attend drug abuse and offender programs.
The 17 days he spent in pre-sentence detention will count as time already served.
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