Richmond defender Noah Balta has escaped a jail sentence, following his assault on a patron at the Mulwala Ski Club in December last year.
Balta appeared in Albury Local Court on Tuesday where he received an 18-month community corrections order after pleading guilty to assault, occasioning actual bodily harm.
The community corrections order interferes with Balta’s playing schedule with a compulsory 10pm - 6am curfew, suspending the 25-year-old from playing night or interstate matches until July 22.
The magistrate made it very clear on Tuesday there would be no exemption to the curfew.
Plaintiff Thomas Washbrook, 27, didn’t attend the hearing, but was compensated $45,000 by the offender outside the court.
The attack was believed to be a dispute over a pizza, and defence lawyer Belinda Franjic told the court that Balta showed “genuine shame and regret for his decision making” and was “deeply disappointed” in his “aggressive” actions.
The court heard how Mr Washbrook was pushed to the floor by Balta sustaining a 3cm laceration to his forehead, a lump to the back of his head and chin, grazing on his right elbow and knee and pain to his hip and ribs.
Balta then landed a punch to the victim's face as he resurfaced, before leaving the scene.
Mr Washbrook was taken to Yarrawonga Hospital and Balta handed himself into Corowa police two days later.
The Yarrawonga Chronicle understands neither Richmond nor Balta will appeal the sentence.
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