Briton charged with knocking Australian rugby captain James Stannard unconscious in ‘one-punch’ attack

'Unprovoked attack': Australia rugby sevens captain James Stannard was taken to hospital with a head injury
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Tom Powell30 March 2018

A British man has been charged with assault after the captain of Australia’s rugby sevens team was hospitalised in an alleged one-punch attack.

James Stannard, 35, was reportedly floored with a single blow during an "unprovoked" attack outside a Sydney kebab shop in the early hours of Friday morning.

He struck his head on the pavement and was taken to hospital where his condition has been described as stable.

A witness told Daily Mail Australia: "The guy was left on the ground, there was blood everywhere and he wasn't moving."

The 22-year-old suspect, who has not been named, apparently attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended by witnesses until police arrived.

New South Wales police said: "About 3.10am (5.10pm BST Thursday) a 35-year-old man was standing outside a kebab shop on Coogee Bay Road, Coogee, when he was punched in the head in an alleged unprovoked assault.

"As a result, he fell and struck his head on the pavement.

The attack took place on Coogee Bay Road in a suburb of Sydney (Google )
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"The 22-year-old man who threw the punch then fled the scene, but was apprehended by witnesses until police arrived and placed him under arrest.

"The victim was taken to St Vincent's Hospital where he is understood to be in a stable condition with head injuries.

"The 22-year-old British National was taken to Maroubra Police Station and is being charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm."

The Briton has been bailed on "strict" conditions until an appearance at Waverley Local Court on April 19.

Rugby Australia said it was "aware of an incident which has resulted in the hospitalisation of Australian Men's Sevens player James Stannard in Sydney overnight".

"Rugby Australia is working with NSW Police to investigate the matter and will provide a further update later today."

Stannard was made captain of Australia's Commonwealth Games side earlier in March after skipper Lewis Holland was ruled out due to a hamstring injury.

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