BONEGILLA man Daniel James Gannon yesterday received a seven-month suspended jail sentence for knocking another man unconscious during an indoor soccer game in Albury.
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Magistrate Tony Murray said in Albury Local Court that Gannon had a history of violence with previous convictions in Victoria.
Mr Murray said it was an unprovoked assault and Gannon was fortunate the victim did not suffer injuries that were more serious.
Gannon, 21, of Hillandale Court, had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and the matter was adjourned for the preparation of a pre- sentence report.
The assault by Gannon was prompted after his younger brother had a disagreement with the victim, who was playing indoor soccer at the Major League Centre in North Street about 8pm on March 25.
He had words with Gannon’s younger brother, 14, and they had a disagreement, but it is unknown what it was about.
It is believed the victim may have bumped the teenager with his shoulder before Gannon approached and inflicted a blow.
The victim fell to the floor, scraping his face against the boundary net, and is believed to have lost consciousness.
Several of the victim’s teammates and the umpire attended to him.
Gannon and his two brothers were asked to leave the premises and were told they were no longer welcome to play in the competition or at the sports centre.
The victim had regained consciousness by the time an ambulance arrived and took him to Albury hospital.
He told police he could not remember what happened and had bruising to his right eye along with a swollen cheek.
Solicitor Andrea MacDonald said Gannon had a family history of impulsive behaviour.
He had previously received a four-month suspended sentence in Victoria in 2012.
Ms MacDonald said Gannon had expressed his remorse and went back to check on the victim, but was refused entry to the centre.
Mr Murray warned Gannon that suspended sentences in NSW were different to his home state.
Any breach of it would result in him having to serve the time in jail.
Mr Murray has ordered Gannon to have Probation and Parole Service supervision, he cannot approach the victim or attend the centre for the duration of the suspended sentence.
