Australian rugby captain punched to ground by British man after calling him 'Pommy', court hears

James Stannard floored outside kebab shop after calling Sam Oliver a ‘Pommy c***’, trial hears

Monday 10 September 2018 15:43 BST
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The 35-year-old's condition has been described as stable
The 35-year-old's condition has been described as stable

The captain of Australia’s Rugby Sevens team was punched to the ground by a British man during a night out in Sydney after he launched a “verbal attack” on the tourist, a court heard.

Scrum-half James Stannard was floored by Sam Oliver outside a kebab shop in the early hours of 30 March.

The 35-year-old player was left unable to compete at the next month’s Commonwealth Games after his head struck the pavement and fractured his skull. He spent two nights in hospital.

Mr Oliver – a 23-year-old backpacker reportedly from Newcastle – has denied recklessly causing grievous bodily harm and the alternative charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He says he acted in self-defence.

His lawyer alleges Mr Stannard threw the first punch after calling the Briton a “pommy c***” during an argument.

A hearing at Sydney’s Downing Centre court was told on Monday that the player – who has since retired – had been at the Coogee Bay Hotel with teammates, leaving the venue at about 3am.

A group of people had congregated outside the nearby Erciyes kebab shop and witness Mark Tobin saw two men arguing, prosecutor Burton Ko said.

Mr Ko told the court: “Mark Tobin saw what he describes as a blonde man – which the crown says was the accused – take three quick steps towards the bald man and king hit him.”

King hit is Australian slang for a single punch that fells a person.

Mr Ko added: “James Stannard fell to the ground, cracked his head on the concrete footpath, he lost consciousness and started bleeding from his right ear.”

Mr Tobin himself told the court: “Out of the corner of my eye I’ve seen one fella step closer to the other fella and punch the other fella.”

He added: “He fell backwards and smashed his head on the side of the road.”

Another witness, Joshua Friend, the son of Rugby Sevens coach Andy Friend, described hearing a “sickening thud” as Mr Stannard fell onto the kerb.

Following the incident, Mr Oliver ran away but was later caught.

Giving evidence, Mr Stannard said he could not remember what happened and that his last recollection from the evening was of the band finishing at the Coogee Bay Hotel. The next thing he remembered was waking up in hospital, he told the court.

“I had an extra sore head,” he said. “I had blood coming out of my ear. I was quite anxious. I didn’t know what was going on.”

Chris Watson, for Mr Oliver, put it to Mr Stannard that he had thrown the first punch, leaving the defendant with a black eye. He suggested the rugby player had a “degree of dislike for Englishmen” – which Mr Stannard denied.

Mr Watson said: “I suggest to you that when you are intoxicated you vent your attitudes of Poms and you refer to them by using expletives. You wouldn’t call them a Pommy c*** for example?”

“No,” Mr Stannard replied.

The trial continues.

Additional reporting by PA

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