A Bendemeer man has been ordered to undertake 100 hours of community service after king-hitting a Tamworth rugby union player last year.
A BENDEMEER man has been ordered to undertake 100 hours of community service after king-hitting a Tamworth rugby union player last year.
Nicholas O’Leary, 24, appeared in Tamworth Local Court this week where he was found guilty of charges including assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.
O’Leary was found to have assaulted 27-year-old Tamworth man Conrad Starr on Saturday, August 25 last year. The incident occurred shortly before 3am outside licensed premises in Brisbane St, Tamworth.
Police had said O’Leary walked past Mr Starr and struck him, causing him to fall to the ground and hit his head on the concrete.
Friends of the rugby player and teacher had described the cracking noise his head made as it hit the sidewalk as “sickening”.
Mr Starr had lost consciousness for some time following the assault and was taken to Tamworth hospital.
While Mr Starr was discharged from hospital later that day, he had also sought specialist advice to assess his injuries.
He had said he didn’t know why he was hit, or who the man had been.
Police responded immediately after the incident occurred and arrested O’Leary.
He was granted conditional bail at his first court appearance before reappearing on September 10 and pleading not guilty.
The community service order was issued at his last court appearance on Monday.