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A YOUNG footballer who punched a man in the face in an unprovoked assault was a prime example of “how not to behave”, a magistrate said. Magistrate John Lesser made the comment while sentencing Joshua Britton, 19, of Beamish Street, Warrnambool, who pleaded guilty in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court to one count of recklessly causing injury. The police prosecutor told the court that on August 26 Britton and a group of friends went to Warrnambool’s Great Ocean Road Ten Pin Bowling but were turned away because the business was closing for the night. The court heard Britton and his friends became aggressive and as they were leaving the victim attempted to pacify them, telling the group “don’t worry fellas” in a friendly tone. Britton fronted up to the victim, saying “do you know who I am?” before punching the man in the face, knocking the man down. As the victim attempted to stand, Britton punched him again, knocking him back down again. The victim’s friend attempted to help him up and another friend intervened, convincing Britton and his group to leave. Despite being contacted by police, Britton failed to attend the police station, forcing officers to arrest him at home in November. He initially told police he had no idea who hit the victim, who suffered minor injuries. His defence counsel told the court Britton was “a talented footballer who plays centre half-forward for Merrivale” who was commiserating his side’s semi-final loss on the night of the assault. “He doesn’t drink during the season and is unaccustomed to drinking,” the defence counsel said. “On the night in question, his team had lost the semi-final, and he went to the pub with some mates. He can’t remember how much he had to drink but it was a lot. He’s a bit foggy about the details.” The court heard Britton was “very remorseful (and) hates fighting” and the victim was a family friend, causing great embarrassment for Britton. Mr Lesser fined Britton $750 without a conviction and said that if Britton chose to drink in the future he must do so responsibly.

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