- Paul Kent handed two-year good behaviour bond
- Eventually pleaded guilty to one count of affray
- Followed wild street brawl outside Sydney pub in April
Rugby league journalist and commentator Paul Kent’s wild street brawl came after he was taunted by a stranger who asked him if he was attending a footy match that was raising awareness of domestic violence.
Kent, 54, was sentenced to a good behaviour bond on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to his role in a wild street brawl outside an inner west Sydney pub.
Sydney Downing Centre Local Court Magistrate Jennifer Price refused his bid to his affray charge dealt with under the Mental Health Act.
Ms Price, reading from the police facts, told the court stranger Tamer Uzun asked Kent if he would be ‘going to the match tomorrow’ that evening.
Kent believed that was a reference to how he had faced domestic violence charges last year against a 33-year-old woman – which he was ultimately cleared of.
Kent said ‘no’ and Uzun then replied ‘that’s right! You like to bash women,’ Ms Price told the court – before the court heard the pair traded blows.
Kent was cleared of allegations he attacked a 33-year-old woman at his home last May.
Magistrate Jennifer Price did not record a conviction against Kent and sentenced him to a two-year good behaviour bond.
Widely-shared video showed Kent landing on his head against a tree after the brawl spilled from the sidewalk onto the street.
Rugby league journalist and commentator Paul Kent has been sentenced to a two-year good behaviour bond after he pleaded guilty to his role in a wild street brawl outside an inner west Sydney pub in April
Sydney’s Downing Centre Court heard Kent (picture, middle) was suffering from major depression disorder and alcohol use disorder at the time of the incident
The court also heard on Wednesday that Kent suffered six fractured ribs and a collapsed lung as a result of the incident
The court heard on Wednesday that Kent suffered six fractured ribs and a collapsed lung as a result of the incident.
Ms Price took into account that Kent was suffering from major depression disorder and alcohol use disorder at the time.
The court heard that Kent exchanged words with the other man, who made remarks about Kent being charged over domestic violence allegations, which he was found not guilty of and were previously dismissed by a court.
Kent was stood down by Fox Sports and the Daily Telegraph after the incident.
Daily Mail Australia revealed Kent had been sacked from his commentary jobs earlier this week.
Tamer Uzun, 35, who was involved in the scuffle with Kent was also charged with affray.
He has pleaded not guilty and is due to appear in court again later this month.
Late last year Kent was found not guilty of allegations he choked and assaulted his then-partner, a result he called a ‘vindication’.
