Among the list of Shane Anthony Patten’s crimes is when he attacked a man outside the Bega Courthouse in 2009. Photo: Albert McKnight.
CONTENT WARNING: This article may distress some readers.
A self-described “very” violent man from the NSW Far South Coast who attacked a woman with a hammer, causing her to lose an eye, will be under extra scrutiny by authorities for the next several years.
Last year, the NSW Government started trying to force Shane Anthony Patten, also known as Shane Heycox, to comply with extra supervision under the legislation for high-risk offenders, which he opposed.
But late in December 2025, the NSW Supreme Court agreed with the government and ordered the 51-year-old be placed on an extended supervision order for three years, according to a published decision.
Justice Natalia Adams said his risk factors were the combination of alcohol abuse, antisocial personality traits and, potentially, the effects of a brain injury as a child.
“I am satisfied to a high degree of probability that the defendant poses an unacceptable risk of committing another serious offence if not kept under supervision under the order,” she said in her decision.
One of his most shocking crimes took place on 20 September 2013, when he hit a woman in the face with a hammer during an argument. She lost one eye, several teeth and was left with permanent facial injuries.
“For 12 years I have had to live with the physical and emotional consequences of his violence,” she said in a statement for the extended supervision hearing.
“My face, my body and my life have all been permanently changed.
“In 12 years the only time I don’t feel what he has done to me is when I’m asleep. Every waking moment the pain and the trauma are still with me.”
Justice Adams noted Patten chose not to be present to listen when the woman read her statement to the court.
He pleaded guilty to a charge of causing grievous bodily harm over this horrific attack and was sentenced to 12 years’ jail with nine years’ non-parole backdated to start that same year.
But at the time, he had already committed numerous offences and served multiple jail sentences.
For example, he was passing the Bega Courthouse in February 2009 when he saw a man he knew standing outside and ran towards him, threatened him and pushed him onto the concrete, knocking him unconscious.
He was paroled in April 2023, but this was revoked after he was charged with more offences last year.
These new offences allege Patten drove away from police in Narooma on 20 January 2025, resulting in a car chase. When he stopped and was removed from the car, he allegedly headbutted an officer in the face.
Justice Adams said police claimed this officer suffered a fractured hand and nose.
Patten was born in Moruya and currently lives in Narooma. Justice Adams previously noted he has an extensive history of violent offences as well as a traumatic brain injury that he suffered due to a motor vehicle accident as a child.
“When he is not in custody, he is supported by government benefits including the Disability Support Pension,” she said.
“He has eight children to five different women, only some of whom he has contact with.”
Clinical neuropsychologist Dr Sally McSwiggan assessed Patten last year and said he had a tendency to blame external factors such as alcohol, police persecution/racism and others for his inability to control his emotions.
She thought he had not demonstrated he sustained lasting cognitive impairment from the vehicle accident when he was a child and “clearly embellished the severity of his injuries”.
Patten got bail in September 2025 and was in the community when the extended supervision order was made.
His four new charges include assaulting a police officer, police pursuit and driving while disqualified. He pleaded guilty and is listed for sentence in the Batemans Bay Local Court on 19 January.
Anyone impacted by sexual, domestic or family violence can contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or Full Stop Australia on 1800 385 578.
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