Teararoa Rerekuru, 26, was convicted of aggravated robbery with wounding in Nowra District Court on Tuesday, June 18.

Court papers revealed the one punch attack left the injured man suffering facial injuries which required treatment in a Sydney hospital.

Police said Rerekuru bashed the man, who was walking along Berry Street, Nowra, after leaving a nearby supermarket, between 4.40pm and 5pm on May 13.

The victim had been to the Australian Hotel bottle shop and went to Coles Supermarket to buy cigarettes and a mobile phone recharge.

The man told police he walked west along Junction Street before turning south into Berry Street but noticed someone following him.

Police said near a laneway, Rerekuru approached the man and struck him with a full arm swinging punch in the mouth and lower chin.

The victim fell to the ground unconscious and when he came to a minute or so later discovered his wallet containing $25, the $30 phone recharge and other cards was missing.

The incident was captured on CCTV in the area.

Despite bleeding profusely the injured man walked to Nowra Police Station to report the incident.

An ambulance was called and he was taken to Shoalhaven District Hospital for treatment to a badly lacerated top lip which was cut through to his nose, a punctured bottom lip and loose teeth.

He was later transferred to Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney for specialist treatment.

Following investigations, police executed a search warrant on Rerekuru's home and located clothing and shoes distinctly similar to those being worn by the alleged offender at the time of the incident.

Police arrested Rerekuru later that day as a passenger in a car they had stopped on Illaroo Road. Police say he was wearing the same top as the alleged offender in the CCTV.

In Nowra District Court Judge Chris O'Brien sentenced Rerekuru to three years' jail with a non-parole period of 20 months.

He will be eligible for release in June 2020.

Read more: Crime/Court