Paul Kent’s wild street brawl was sparked by seven brutal words from a stranger – as former Fox Sports and News Corp commentator learns his fate
- Paul Kent gets two-year conditional bail for good behavior
- He eventually pleaded guilty to one charge of affray
- A wild street fight ensued outside a Sydney pub in April
Rugby league journalist and commentator Paul Kent was caught up in a wild street brawl after a stranger taunted him with allegations that he had recently been accused of domestic violence.
Kent, 54, was given a suspended sentence on Wednesday after pleading guilty to his role in a wild street brawl near Totti’s Rozelle in Sydney’s west on April 27.
Jennifer Price, a local judge at Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court, refused to grant the former Fox Sports and News Corp Australia columnist’s application in his case over a brawl that falls under the Mental Health Act.
Mrs Price read out the police facts that evening and told the court that the stranger Tamer Uzun had asked Kent, who was walking home with his mates, if he was ‘going to the match tomorrow’.
Kent believed this was a reference to a domestic violence charge he had received the previous year against a 33-year-old woman, a charge he was eventually acquitted of.
Kent said ‘no’ and Uzun then replied ‘that’s right! You like to bash women,’ Ms Price told the court. The court heard the pair then exchanged blows.
Mr. Uzun said, ‘Come on, you weak dog.’
Kent replied, “I’m staying right here, brother, I’m standing right here, damn it, come here now… you dogface.”
Rugby league journalist and commentator Paul Kent has been given a two-year suspended sentence for good behaviour after pleading guilty to his role in a wild street brawl outside a pub in central Sydney in April
The court at Sydney’s Downing Centre heard that Kent (pictured, centre) was suffering from severe depression and alcohol addiction at the time of the incident.
The court also heard on Wednesday that Kent suffered six broken ribs and a collapsed lung as a result of the incident
Judge Jennifer Price did not enter a conviction against Kent and sentenced him to a two-year suspended sentence.
Widely shared videos showed Kent hitting his head on a tree after the brawl moved from the sidewalk to the street.
The court heard on Wednesday that Kent suffered six broken ribs and a collapsed lung as a result of the incident.
“It appears that Mr Kent has fared considerably worse than the co-defendant as he sustained quite serious injuries,” said Ms Price.
The magistrate took into account that several people had tried to stop him, including a guard who tried to stand between him and Mr Uzun.
“People tried to stop you and a security guard tried to interfere,” Price said.
The court heard that several friends had agreed to write character references in support of Kent, including his former NRL360 co-host Ben Ikin, boxing trainer Johnny Lewis and Fox Sports presenter Yvonne Sampson.
Mrs Price took into account that Kent was suffering from severe depression and alcohol addiction at the time.
When asked by reporters as he left court if he felt relieved, Kent said, “I do. It’s all over.”
Mr Uzun, 35, was also charged with affray for his alleged role in the brawl. He has pleaded not guilty and will appear in court again later this month.
Kent was dropped off in the street by Fox Sports and the Daily Telegraph after the brawl.
Earlier this week it was announced that Kent had been fired as commentator.
