Paul Kent’s former employer abandoned the footy TV personality as he struggled with alcohol and mental health issues, a Sydney court has heard.
Kent, 54, was sentenced to a good behaviour bond after he pleaded guilty to his role in a wild street brawl near Totti’s Rozelle in Sydney’s inner west on April 27.
In court on Wednesday it was revealed the incident came after he was taunted by a stranger about how he had recently been accused of domestic violence charges.
Sydney Downing Centre Local Court Magistrate Jennifer Price refused the former Fox Sports and News Corp Australia columnist’s bid to his affray charge dealt with under the Mental Health Act.
Ms Price took into account that Kent was suffering from major depression disorder and alcohol use disorder at the time.
The former Fox Sports star and Daily Telegraph columnist was sacked by News Corp and Fox Sports during his battle against the affray charge.
While neither business would comment on the axings, Kent’s lawyer George Elias took a different approach on Wednesday.
Elias told the court News Corp had given his client ‘no help’ as Kent battled the bottle and his mental demons, which were so bad he sought urgent counselling in the wake of the fight.
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
Kent (pictured in a TV appearance for Fox Sports) had received no support from his former employer News Corp during his battle with alcohol and mental health issues, his lawyer told a Sydney court on Wednesday
Kent had ‘punished himself with alcohol’ since the affray charge, Elias said, after telling a previous court hearing that the former TV pundit was left with cognitive impairment due to his struggles.
Ms Price, reading from the police facts, told the court that night, stranger Tamer Uzun had asked Kent, who was walking home with his mates, if he would be ‘going to the match tomorrow’.
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. The court heard the pair then traded blows.
Mr Uzun said: ‘C’mon you weak dog.’
Kent replied: ‘I’m staying here brother, I’m f***ing standing here f***ing come here now … you dog head.’
Sydney’s Downing Centre Court heard Kent (pictured, middle) was suffering from major depression disorder and alcohol use disorder at the time of the incident
The court also heard on Wednesday Kent suffered six fractured ribs and a collapsed lung as a result of the incident
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.
The court heard on Wednesday that Kent suffered six fractured ribs and a collapsed lung as a result of the incident.
‘It seems Mr Kent has come off significantly worse than the co-accused, having suffered quite severe injuries,’ Ms Price said.
The magistrate took into account that several people had tried to hold him back, as well as a security guard who tried to stand between him and Mr Uzun.
‘People have tried to stop you and a security guard tried to get involved,’ Ms Price said.
The court heard that several friends had agreed to write character references in support of Kent, including his former NRL360 co-host Ben Ikin, boxing trainer Johnny Lewis and Fox Sports presenter Yvonne Sampson.
Asked by journalists as he exited court if he was feeling relieved, Kent said: ‘I am. It’s all over.’
Mr Uzun, 35, was also charged with affray for his alleged role in the brawl. He has pleaded not guilty and is due to appear in court again later this month.
Kent was stood down by Fox Sports and the Daily Telegraph after the street brawl.
It was revealed earlier this week that Kent had been sacked from his commentary jobs.
