John White charged with assault after bottle attack at Coffs Harbour Woolworths

A heated verbal exchange between two men ended when one was bottled outside Coffs Harbour Woolworths in broad daylight. Read what provoked the attack.

John White leaving court after he was sentenced over an assault outside Woolworths at Coffs Harbour.

A heated verbal exchange between two men ended when one was bottled outside Coffs Harbour Woolworths in broad daylight.

John White, 43, appeared at Coffs Harbour Local Court on Wednesday (October 26), pleading guilty to assault (actual bodily harm), after the incident at about 2.30pm on September 3.

Police facts state White had harrassed the victim verbally for several minutes, before the other man threw a punch, which missed.

White then struck the victim in the face with a bottle in a brown paper bag, before pacing around and striking the man again.

The victim received cuts to his eyebrow and nose, while the incident was seen by a number of onlookers and captured by CCTV footage.

Police and paramedics attended and White was arrested later that day.

White told police with body worn video camera: “Some jesus gave a little bit of cheek so I tapped him up”.

Police questioned him regarding the brown bag, and White denied using a bottle, telling officers: “I’m not gonna waste my bottle on a gronk”.

John White leaving court after he was sentenced over an assault outside Woolworths at Coffs Harbour.

Magistrate Ian Rodgers noted the clear animosity between the two men, who were not believed to have known each other.

Mr Rodgers told the court he doubted self defence was at play in the incident, classifying the bloody attack as a “serious” case of assault.

White’s solicitor Frankie Sullivan noted the clear “animosity” between the two men and said in White’s defence the victim had swung first.

Ms Sullivan conceded the facts were concerning as was her client’s extensive criminal history.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Little said White had paced around before he returned to strike the victim again, displaying a clear intent to injure.

White was sentenced to a 16-month intensive corrections order.