Paul Kent’s former employer dumped the TV football personality because he struggled with alcohol and mental health issues, a Sydney court heard.
Kent, 54, was sentenced to a good behaviour bond after pleading guilty to his role in a wild street fight near Totti’s Rozelle in Sydney’s inner west on April 27.
It was revealed in court on Wednesday that the incident occurred after a stranger made fun of him because he had recently been accused of domestic violence.
Sydney Local Court Judge Downing Centre Jennifer Price has rejected the former Fox Sports and News Corp Australia columnist’s bid for a reprieve in his Mental Health Act dispute.
Ms Price took into account that Kent was suffering from major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder at the time.
The former Fox Sports star and Daily Telegraph columnist was sacked by News Corp and Fox Sports during his battle against the affray charge.
While neither company would comment on the layoffs, Kent attorney George Elias took a different approach Wednesday.
Elias told the court that News Corp had provided “no help” to his client as Kent battled the bottle and his mental demons, which were so bad he sought urgent counselling in the wake of the fight.
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 savage street brawl.
Kent (pictured in a television appearance for Fox Sports) had received no support from his former employer News Corp during his battle with alcohol and mental health issues, his lawyer told a Sydney court on Wednesday.
Kent had “punished himself with alcohol” since the fighting charge, Elias said, after telling him at an earlier court hearing that the former television commentator was left cognitively impaired because of his fights.
Ms Price, reading from police records, told the court that on that evening, Kent, who was walking home with friends, had been asked by stranger Tamer Uzun if he was “going to the game tomorrow”.
Kent believed it was a reference to how he faced domestic violence charges last year against a 33-year-old woman, of which he was ultimately acquitted.
Kent said “no” and Uzun replied: “That’s right! You like attacking women,” Price told the court. The court heard the pair exchanged blows.
Mr. Uzun said, “Come on, you weak dog.”
Kent replied: ‘I’m gonna stay here bro, I’m gonna stay here, fuck, get over here now… dog head.’
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.
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.
“It appears that Mr Kent has come off much worse than his co-defendant, having sustained quite serious injuries,” Price said.
The judge noted that several people tried to restrain him, as well as a security guard who tried to stand between him and Mr Uzun.
“People tried to stop him and a security guard tried to intervene,” Price said.
The court heard several friends had agreed to write character references in support of Kent, including his former NRL360 co-presenter Ben Ikin, boxing trainer Johnny Lewis and Fox Sports presenter Yvonne Sampson.
Asked by reporters outside court if he felt relieved, Kent replied: “Yes, it’s over.”
Uzun, 35, was also charged with taking part in a fight. He pleaded not guilty and is due to appear in court again later this month.
Kent was suspended by Fox Sports and the Daily Telegraph after the street fight.
Earlier this week it was revealed that Kent had been fired from his job as a commentator.
