Punch prison term quashed
Blow to head after cricket dispute
A STALWART of a Bellarine cricket club who launched a sickening one-punch attack on a teammate has had his jail term quashed on appeal.
Adam McGrath, 46, was embroiled in a heated argument over player selections at Portarlington Cricket Club when he landed a savage blow to the head of a senior player.
The attack last year left the victim knocked out and McGrath slapped with a sixmonth jail term in October.
He was bailed after lodging an appeal, and on Thursday, the jail sentence was replaced with a community correction order.
The County Court was told McGrath had experienced a significant fall from grace since the unprovoked attack on October 31, 2020.
McGrath, a premiership captain, life member and former president, has played more than 400 senior games for Portarlington and won numerous awards.
Court documents reveal McGrath and his victim had
been drinking alcohol when a heated discussion about player selections evolved into an argument.
Defence lawyer Adrian Paull said McGrath “lost his temper” and threw a punch at the victim, who was knocked out and hit his head after falling backwards.
The injured man was helped to his feet by friends and taken home. He sought medical attention three days later and was ultimately diagnosed with mild post-concussion syndrome.
Mr Paull said McGrath was under enormous stress at the time of the assault, with his father’s cancer diagnosis coinciding with the impact of Covid-19 on his business.
The court heard McGrath, who has no prior convictions, was also struggling with living in a caravan while he and his wife faced delays with construction of their home.
The Portarlington man was jailed earlier this year after pleading guilty at Geelong Magistrates Court to recklessly causing injury.
But Judge Felicity Hampel on Thursday threw out the prison term and imposed an 18-month community correction order.
McGrath must complete 150 hours of unpaid community work and undergo assessment and treatment for alcohol abuse and mental health. He will also be required to complete programs aimed at reducing the risk of reoffending.
“Some people might think this is a light outcome. I don’t,” Judge Hampel said.
“I think for you the stain of a conviction and of an 18month order, with those onerous conditions on it, will be something you see as a shame as well as, I hope, a just punishment.”