Corrective services officer Brendan Williams Myers in Coffs court for assault

The magistrate accepted that the corrections officer, who also works for Coffs Harbour City Council, was provoked during the incident at a pub in Sawtell.

An early guilty plea and lack of prior offending were considered when a Coffs Harbour corrective services officer came before the magistrate charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The court heard on Wednesday, August 10, that Brendan Williams Myers and the victim were engaged in a physical altercation at a hotel in Sawtell on the night of May 19, during which Myers headbutted the other man.

The 34-year-old was due to be the best man at a wedding the next day, the court heard.

In addition to his work as a field officer with Corrective Services NSW, Myers is also employed by Coffs Harbour City Council in construction, the court heard.

Lawyer Hugo Schleiger told the court that when police were called his client “immediately co-operated” and an early guilty plea was made.

He also told the court that Myers has been “stood down” from his job with Corrective Services, which involves “supervising inmates to carry out community corrections orders”.

Mr Schleiger said Myers’ gun licence has also been suspended which has impacted on his ability to “cull vermin” on the property he resides at in the Upper Orara area.

Myers is also a member of a local gun club and this is also on hold.

Coffs Harbour courthouse.

Mr Schleiger argued his client had been provoked on the night and the behaviour was out of character, describing him as a person of good standing in the community, coaching junior football.

He pleaded with the magistrate not to record a conviction.

Magistrate Julia Virgo accepted that Myers was provoked but “there was absolutely no need to headbutt the victim”.

Myers was convicted and sentenced to a conditional release order for a period of six months with Ms Virgo saying there was “no need for any supervision” during the order.

She also chose not to impose a fine.