- Messages
- 101,003
A DRUNKEN West Tigers fan who crash tackled a referee during an NRL game is "an idiot" who is narrowly avoiding gaol, a court ruled today.
Mark Edwards, 25, faced a charge of common assault with a maximum penalty of 12 months gaol at Campbelltown local court today, after rushing onto the field at a Tigers game in May and tackling referee Jared Maxwell, brining him down in front of a shocked crowd and national television audience.
Solicitor Patrick Duffy told the court Edwards had been subject to national ridicule and deeply regretted his actions.
The brain snap came about after an emotional week where he buried his beloved Pop, who introduced him to his love of the NRL, and also endured the 10th anniversary of the death of his best childhood friend, Mr Duffy said.
He has attended hundreds of league games in his life and consumed alcohol at hundreds of those games, Mr Duffy said.
He is well regarded. This is not a situation that is likely to be repeated.
Mr Duffy asked that Edwards be sentenced under section 10 of the act, so a conviction was not recorded, allowing his client to realise his dream of serving in the Royal Australia Navy
Magistrate Michael Stoddart refused, and instead fined him $1500 plus court costs with a 2 years good behaviour bond.
You were acting like an idiot, Magistrate Stoddart said.
Had you had other matters of violence I would be taking a very different view of this today and would be considering a custodial sentence.
The conviction was recorded.
Magistrate Stoddart said Edwards showed genuine contrition in the face of the media, which had brought shame on his family.
The victim is lucky he was not injured as a result of this ridiculous behaviour. He said.
Edwards and his father Paul declined comment after proceedings today, instead Edwards covered his face.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25649756-5001021,00.html
Mark Edwards, 25, faced a charge of common assault with a maximum penalty of 12 months gaol at Campbelltown local court today, after rushing onto the field at a Tigers game in May and tackling referee Jared Maxwell, brining him down in front of a shocked crowd and national television audience.
Solicitor Patrick Duffy told the court Edwards had been subject to national ridicule and deeply regretted his actions.
The brain snap came about after an emotional week where he buried his beloved Pop, who introduced him to his love of the NRL, and also endured the 10th anniversary of the death of his best childhood friend, Mr Duffy said.
He has attended hundreds of league games in his life and consumed alcohol at hundreds of those games, Mr Duffy said.
He is well regarded. This is not a situation that is likely to be repeated.
Mr Duffy asked that Edwards be sentenced under section 10 of the act, so a conviction was not recorded, allowing his client to realise his dream of serving in the Royal Australia Navy
Magistrate Michael Stoddart refused, and instead fined him $1500 plus court costs with a 2 years good behaviour bond.
You were acting like an idiot, Magistrate Stoddart said.
Had you had other matters of violence I would be taking a very different view of this today and would be considering a custodial sentence.
The conviction was recorded.
Magistrate Stoddart said Edwards showed genuine contrition in the face of the media, which had brought shame on his family.
The victim is lucky he was not injured as a result of this ridiculous behaviour. He said.
Edwards and his father Paul declined comment after proceedings today, instead Edwards covered his face.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25649756-5001021,00.html
