- Paul Kent receives two-year bail for good behavior
- He eventually pleaded guilty to one count of affray.
- A wild street fight broke out outside a Sydney pub in April
Rugby league journalist and commentator Paul Kent has been sentenced to a good behaviour bond after pleading guilty to his role in a wild street brawl outside a pub in Sydney’s inner west.
Kent appeared in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, where his lawyer George Elias failed in his bid to have the charges settled under the Mental Health Act.
Kent, 54, was charged with one count of affray after he and another man were involved in a verbal argument that turned physical outside Totti’s Rozelle on April 27.
After his application to have the charge treated on mental health grounds was dismissed, Kent pleaded guilty on Wednesday.
Magistrate Jennifer Price recorded no convictions against Kent and sentenced him to a two-year bond for good behaviour.
A widely shared video showed Kent landing headfirst into a tree after the fight spilled from the sidewalk into the street.
The court heard on Wednesday that Kent suffered six fractured ribs and a collapsed lung as a result of the incident.
Ms Price took into account that Kent was suffering from major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder at the time.
Rugby league journalist and commentator Paul Kent has been sentenced to a two-year good behaviour bond after pleading guilty to his role in a wild street brawl outside a pub in Sydney’s inner west in April.
Sydney’s Downing Central Court heard Kent (pictured, middle) was suffering from major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder at the time of the incident.
The court also heard on Wednesday that Kent suffered six fractured ribs and a collapsed lung as a result of the incident.
The court heard Kent exchanged words with the other man, who made comments about Kent being charged with domestic violence allegations, of which he was found not guilty and which were previously dismissed by a court.
Kent was suspended by Fox Sports and the Daily Telegraph after the incident.
Daily Mail Australia revealed that Kent had been fired from his job as a commentator earlier this week.
Tamer Uzun, 35, who was involved in the altercation with Kent, was also charged with affray.
He pleaded not guilty and is due to appear in court again later this month.
Late last year, Kent was cleared of charges that he strangled and assaulted his then-partner, a result he called “vindication.”