Wollongong's Crown Street Mall was the scene of yet another early-morning alcohol-fuelled brawl after two men threw a series of punches at two male victims as they wandered through the CBD, a court heard yesterday.
Timothy Spyridakos, of Kanahooka, and Nathan Dunn, of Queanbeyan, fronted Wollongong Local Court yesterday over the violent assault, which ended in an altercation at a nearby taxi rank.
Sentencing the men yesterday, Magistrate Ian Guy said most right-minded community members would have been horrified and appalled by the pair’s behaviour, noting just one punch could have had a ‘‘devastating outcome’’.
The victims walked past Spyridakos, 25, and Dunn, 21, about 1am on September 22 when Spyridakos called out and told the pair to ‘‘f--k off’’, a statement before the court said.
Spyridakos then rushed to the victims and repeatedly punched one of the men in the face before he swung his fists at the other man, knocking him to the ground.
Dunn quickly ran over and entered the fray, punching one of the victims, while Spyridakos kicked one of the men in the head as he lay on the ground.
The man managed to jump to his feet but Spyridakos punched him again before the victims ran to a nearby taxi stand where Dunn punched one of the men in the back of the head.
Security intervened and both offenders left the scene.
They were later located at the Ivory nightclub and searched.
Officers found cocaine on Dunn, which he admitted to purchasing for $80.
The men pleaded guilty to one count each of affray while Dunn also pleaded guilty to a drug possession charge.
The court heard both men had acted out of character, had limited records and no history of violence.
A probation and parole officer told the court Spyridakos had alleged one of the victims had threatened him so he threw a punch before Dunn came to assist.
Mr Guy said claims Dunn had involved himself in the fight to aid Spyridakos were ‘‘farcical’’ but conceded his role in the offence was at the lower end of the scale.
He told the court Spyridakos had engaged in ‘‘appalling, ugly and cowardly behaviour’’.
Mr Guy ordered Spyridakos to serve 300 hours of community service.
He placed Dunn on a 12-month good behaviour bond and ordered him to perform 75 hours of community service.