Drew Alan Wood withdraws appeal after coward punching man at Great Northern Hotel in Byron Bay

An English man who avoided jail after coward punching a reveller in response to “lighthearted banter” at Byron’s Great Northern hotel has dropped his appeal. Here’s what we know.

Drew Alan Wood, 23, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm at Byron Bay Court on January 23, 2023.

An English man placed on an intensive corrections order by a court after coward punching a reveller over “lighthearted banter” has dropped his appeal against the sentence in the community.

On January 23, Drew Alan Wood pleaded guilty to recklessly causing grievous bodily harm at the busy Great Northern Hotel in Byron Bay on January 6.

The 23-year-old was spending the night at the pub when he asked two men where they were from, Byron Bay Local Court was told.

One man told Wood they were Australian and Wood said “we invented Australians”, according to court documents.

The victim asked what Wood meant and stated: “It’s all your fault for all the racist stuff that’s happened here then.”

The Great Northern Hotel in Byron Bay.

The pair walked off, considering the interaction over.

But Wood came after them and punched one of the men from behind.

The man fell to the pavement and had to get a plate inserted in his jaw, among other injuries.

On March 21, Wood was sentenced by Magistrate Karen Stafford to serve the 12-month order and 80 hours of community service work.

He was also ordered to compensate the victim $1031.05.

The charge of grievous bodily harm carries a maximum penalty of 10 years jail.

Wood did not appear in Lismore District Court for his appeal on May 17, leaving it to defence lawyer Tom Ivey to withdraw the matter.

Judge Jennifer English accepted the withdrawal and dismissed the matter.

Wood will continue to serve the original sentence.