A North Wollongong man has avoided a criminal conviction over his involvement in an early morning brawl outside a Sydney casino.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Jacob Athan Kalmanidis, 20, pleaded guilty to a charge of affray in Wollongong Local Court this week, admitting he and two mates took on a fourth man outside The Star in the early hours of January 16 this year.
A set of agreed facts tendered to the court reveal the antagonist approached Kalmanidis and his friends near the casino's northern entrance just before 3am and said to one of the men "you're my cousin".
The man replied that he wasn't his cousin and suggested he get in a taxi and leave.
The antagonist said "I'll take all of you on" and pushed the man, resulting in a fight breaking out between the pair.
The court heard Kalmanidis briefly grabbed the antagonist in a headlock at one stage during the confrontation.
Police allege Kalmanidis kicked the man in the face when he fell to the ground, however Kalmanidis denies the accusation.
The fight was eventually broken up by police and Star security staff.
Kalmanidis and the others were arrested and taken to Day Street Police Station where they were charged with affray.
In court this week, defence lawyer Graeme Morrison said Kalmanidis was on his first night out with friends in Sydney and was returning from a cruise when the brawl happened.
"He regrets his involvement," Mr Morrison said.
The court heard Kalmanidis had no prior convictions and came from a good family.
"It wasn't your finest hour, was it?" Magistrate Michael O'Brien said in addressing Kalmanidis in court.
"I agree," Kalmanidis replied.
Magistrate O'Brien found the offence proven and placed Kalmanidis on a 12-month bond, but agreed not to record a conviction against him, noting he was "an industrious young man with a bright future".
To read more stories, download the Illawarra Mercury news app in the Apple Store or Google Play.
