An Avondale man has admitted to headbutting a vulnerable and disabled woman at a North Wollongong nightclub birthday party over a drink, a court has heard.
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Dylan Pike, 22, was due to defend a charge of common assault when he appeared in Wollongong Local Court on Monday but at the 11th hour changed his plea to guilty.
Amended agreed facts tendered to court said Sarah Smith and Pike were attending a mutual friend's birthday party at Pepe's Beach Bar in North Wollongong on February 20 last year.
Mrs Smith arrived at the venue with two friends.
She has a pain disorder which requires her to permanently wear a knee brace and she requires assistance to walk, the documents said.
There were about 20 guests gathered on the outside deck area of the venue and Mrs Smith spent the night with her friends when shortly before 11pm she wanted to leave.
She had a drink and put it on a table while she typed out a text message.
She then saw Pike with her drink in his hand and said words to the effect of "you took my drink" to him.
At the same time, the girlfriend of Pike approached Mrs Smith and got into a physical altercation with her.
Other patrons and security guards separated the women and Pike's girlfriend was escorted out of the bar.
Pike yelled words similar to "keep going slut and I'll headbutt you" towards Mrs Smith.
He then walked up to her and lunged his head forward in a forceful manner, headbutting her in the right side of her forehead and eye.
Pike left the bar while paramedics were called to treat Mrs Smith, who had to be helped into an ambulance before she was taken to Wollongong Hospital for further treatment.
Police officers arrived a short time later and spoke to the brother of Pike's girlfriend, who had broken up the altercation.
They also spoke to other witnesses and patrolled the area but were unable to find Pike nor his girlfriend.
Mrs Smith was discharged from hospital the next day with a raised lump on her head over her right eyebrow and a "visual disturbance" to her right eye, the documents said.
Police later charged Pike with common assault and he declined to be interviewed.
The court heard on Monday that Pike was on parole at the time of the assault.
A sentence assessment report will be prepared and Pike will learn his fate on May 17.
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