Man pleads guilty to brutal hotel assault

Liam Vagg has pleaded guilty in Geelong Magistrates Court on Monday to recklessly causing injury.

The 26-year-old cricketer threatened a hotel licensee after his mate was refused alcohol.

A drunk Vagg grabbed the hotelier, pressed his face onto the ground and threatened to kill him.

Vagg was drunk at the St Leonards hotel when the incident occurred on December 3 last year.

The licensee asked to check the ID cards of Vagg and his group of friends after noticing they were drinking too much. Security, then asked the group to leave, but instead they went to the smokers’ area and ordered food.

The group are accused of antagonising patrons and when one went to get a beer, they were cut off.

The court heard that Vagg said “who the f--- are you? Give me the drinks” before the violent confrontation occurred.

The victim was to punched to the side of the face four times before Vagg told him he would kill him.

The licensee received a palm size haematoma and an abrasion above his eye.

Police obtained obtained CCTV footage and spoke to a security guard who confirmed Vagg as the culprit.

Vagg made full admissions after seeing the CCTV footage. His lawyer argued Vagg was heavily intoxicated and that a corrections order and alcohol counselling would be just punishment.

Vagg will return to court on August 6 for sentencing.

Jonathan Jackson - 6-6-23