Court releases CCTV footage of horrific Wallaroo pub assault on AFL Grand Final Day in 2022

Shocking CCTV footage shows a pub patron falling to the ground and hitting his head on a pole after he was punched by a thug at a pub.

Shocking CCTV footage shows a pub patron falling to the ground and hitting his head on a pole after he was punched by a thug at a pub.

James Bodie, 28, was jailed after his victim lost the ability to live independently from the cowardly AFL Grand Final day attack.

James Bodie was jailed for his attack at a Wallaroo hotel on Grand Final Day in 2022. Picture: Supplied

During sentencing, the District Court heard Bodie and the victim were both patrons at the Cornucopia Hotel in Wallaroo on September 24, 2022.

CCTV footage shows the victim approaching Bodie and having a brief exchange with him before Bodie punches him to the head.

The victim, who was rendered unconscious by the strike, stumbles and Bodie pushes him in the chest, causing him to hit his head on a nearby pole as he falls to the ground.

Bodie then left the pub and walked away.

“You acted without any real provocation, nor did you respond to any threat of danger,” Judge Anthony Allen said.

James Bodie was jailed for his attack at a Wallaroo hotel on Grand Final Day in 2022. Picture: Supplied

“What you did was inherently dangerous and is an affront to any patron socialising at licensed premises.”

The court heard the victim was taken to the Intensive Care Unit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital where he was found to have suffered severe traumatic head injuries and a brain bleed.

The victim now suffers from short-term memory loss, balance issues, problems with concentration and a disturbed sleep pattern.

The court heard Bodie had consumed a significant quantity of alcohol at the time of the attack and had no recollection of the events.

Bodie pleaded guilty to recklessly causing serious harm.

In his victim impact statement, the victim said he has been unable to return to work, resulting in financial stress and has lost his ability to live independently.

The court heard Bodie engaged in heaving drinking in the lead up to the offending after losing two family members in a short period of time.

The court heard Bodie, who was remorseful for the offending, had now ceased drinking alcohol and going to hotels.

Judge Allen sentenced Bodie to three years and one month jail, with a non-parole period of one year and eight months.

“Your offending is demonstrative of the catastrophic and ongoing adverse effects that single punch assaults can have,” he said.