- Star insisted he acted in self defence at time of the incident
A footy star who played international rugby for Tonga has been found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm after punching an off-duty police officer at a popular nightclub.
Penikolo Latu, 32, appeared in Newcastle Local Court and pleaded not guilty to the offence, which unfolded at King Street Hotel just after 1.30am in March this year.
The victim, Aaron Barnett, suffered a fractured eye socket, a bleed to the brain and a chipped tooth plus bruising following the vicious assault.
The defence and prosecution agreed Latu punched Barnett based on presented vision of the incident – whether he acted in self-defence was the contentious point.
When giving evidence, Latu was adamant he acted on instinct as he feared for his safety.
The court heard Latu was close to the dancefloor in the venue when he was approached by a friend of Barnett’s.
A footy star who played international rugby for Tonga has been found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm after punching an off-duty police officer at a nightclub (pictured)
Penikolo Latu pleaded not guilty in Newcastle Local Court to the offence, which unfolded at King Street Hotel just after 1.30am on March 1 this year
Latu maintains he acted on instinct as he feared for his safety – he will be sentenced in November
In his version of events, Barnett felt the situation was about to escalate between the two men, so he attempted to intervene.
The hearing was told Barnett pushed Latu and made what he agreed to be a ‘come on’ gesture with his hands, before stepping towards the footy star.
Latu threw his drink towards Barnett and punched him before immediately leaving the scene.
He was arrested hours later and interviewed by police.
Magistrate Janine Lacy found that while Latu may have perceived a threat to his safety, the level of violence he used couldn’t be interpreted as self defence.
She found Latu guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
CCTV footage of the incident was played in the court, as well as Latu’s police interview and body-worn footage of officers who attended the scene after the assault.
Latu – who plans to appeal – will be sentenced in November.
