A Lavington man who threw a few punches in a Dean Street brawl 16 years ago has finally fronted court to be sentenced.
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But Adam Jade Taylor had not been trying to avoid accountability for his actions, his lawyer argued on Monday
He appeared in Albury Local Court all those years ago for the first mention date, Mark Cronin explained to magistrate Rodney Brender.
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It was September 16, 2003, and the matter was adjourned for a few weeks, to October 7.
Taylor, now 38, didn't show.
But it was during that fortnight, Mr Cronin said, that Taylor obtained work in Queensland.
He just assumed "incorrectly" that his case would be dealt with in his absence.
Instead, Taylor was convicted and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Taylor, 38, had worked throughout the time since in Queensland and on returning to Albury for a relatively short period - he was doing some part-time work - he became aware of the warrant and handed himself in to police.
His next step was to investigate work options in Melbourne.
The court was told how police were called to the brawl, near a hotdog stand at the intersection of Kiewa Street, on August 2, 2003, about 2am.
Most stopped fighting and fled. The affray matter over which Taylor pleaded guilty involved he and another man walking away, before they "turned back and both started to punch (another man)".
They pulled off the victim's shirt, then the brawl erupted again.
Mr Brender said a lack of criminal history for Taylor since 2008 showed he had clearly matured in recent years.
Taylor was fined $800 and placed on a two-year community corrections order.
