Warren Ryan convicted over pub fight
Former rugby league coach and commentator Warren Ryan ended up in court when he lost it during a pub brawl and punched a fellow retiree to the ground.
Waverley Court saw CCTV footage showing Ryan smacking 76-year-old Edward Purcell with a left hook and right cross on the jaw.
Ryan then kicked him on the ground.
And the cause of the altercation?
The court was told the two were drinking “full-strength schooners” at a Maroubra hotel with Ryan’s brother Chris on Remembrance Day in 2016.
Then things turned nasty when they got into a dispute over either (a) Donald Trump or (b) penalty rates.
The cause was actually disputed in court.
In his testimony, Chris said the fight was about penalty rates.
But Mr Purcell told the court they were arguing over Donald Trump becoming US president.
Whatever the cause, prosecutors said there was one clear result: “a sustained, vicious attack” by the former ABC broadcaster.
The CCTV footage showed shows Ryan, the former Canterbury premiership coach, clearly worked up, putting down his drink, hitting the table, walking around it and then attacking his drinking partner.
The video shows Purcell falling to the floor. With his legs flailing, he kicked at Ryan, who then kicked him back.
Police prosecutor Chris Davis described it for the court.
“Mr Ryan had gotten off his chair, walked around and connected his fist with Mr Purcell,” he said.
“It’s a sustained, vicious attack. I know they are the same age but the years have not been as kind to Mr Purcell. He looks elderly as he goes down.”
Ryan, in his statement of facts before the court, said he felt “threatened” by Mr Purcell, during the heated argument.
Magistrate John Bailey said Purcell was not aggressive.
“He was clearly elderly and injured,” Mr Bailey said. “There’s a lot of dispute about what the parties were arguing about at the time. What’s not in dispute is that the parties were having an argument.”
Ryan, 75, who had a character reference from businessman John Singleton, was convicted of assault.
He was given a 12-month good behaviour bond.
by Leon Gettler, October 25th 2017
