A magistrate has condemned "buffoons and tanked-up blokes" who allegedly took part in a fight with "no honour or integrity" while sentencing an Inverell man for a charge of affray.
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Matthew Underwood, 35, appeared before Inverell Local Court on Thursday, after pleading guilty to assaulting another man during an alleged punch-up at Inverell Sporties Club.
Christopher Alan Hindley, 42, had his case also scheduled for charges relating to the incident, however did not appear in court. His solicitor, Sue Daiken, said he would be pleading not guilty to the same charge.
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He will come before the court again in August.
Both charges arise out of an incident at the Sporties on April 21. Police statements tendered to court said both men, who police alleged have "bad blood" between them, were drinking separately outside on the decks about 10.30pm.
After what appeared to be an intense conversation, held "toe-to-toe", police said the CCTV footage showed Underwood returning to his table, taking a swig of his alcoholic beverage, before returning to punch Hindley a number of times to the face.
When police arrived, they saw a smashed pot-plant, broken glass strewn across the floor and cracked window panes.
They also noted the higher-than-normal number of people in the club drawn in to watch a fight being broadcast on TV at the venue.
Solicitor Stephen Collins was asked by magistrate Michael Antrum whether or not the incident put Underwood in line for jail time.
"His behaviour on this night was outrageous and unacceptable," Mr Collins agreed.
"But references show his real personality of an industrious and reliable worker."
He indicated that "goading" was a potential factor in the escalation of the argument.
"He hasn't been back to the club since ... he doesn't want to put himself in another situation."
Magistrate Antrum condemned the acts and the "impact it would have had on surrounding persons".
"Affray carries a maximum of 10 years in prison in courts above this one. In this court it could be up to two years imprisonment," he told Underwood.
He said no sentencing assessment report was needed - due to both his almost complete lack of criminal history, and the "various" COVID-19 restrictions which in "public interest" sought to "limit the movement of people".
"This charge is the modern development of a riot," he explained to Underwood.
He said the police, licensees and the community were "heartily sick of buffoons and tanked up blokes" with "no honour, no integrity" laying into one another.
"This is not how we do things in 2021."
He said he was "persuaded" to forgo a custodial sentence on the basis of Underwood's record and apparent remorse, but warned that if he was to do it again, he should expect to face full-time custody.
Underwood was convicted of the charge and placed on an 18-month community Corrections Order.
"You need to suck it up ... think about your future before using Dutch courage," Magistrate Antrum concluded.
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