Lachlan Conwell sentenced for common assault at Impact Gym Erina

A man who threatened another man with a bare-knuckle fight to the death over a $100 debt owed to his girlfriend has been sentenced in court.

The assault occurred at Impact Gym in Erina.

A man who threatened another man with a bare-knuckle fight to the death over a $100 debt owed to his girlfriend has been sentenced in court.

Lachlan Conwell, 23, pleaded guilty to common assault and was sentenced in the Gosford Local Court on Thursday.

Conwell was at Impact Gym in Erina on June 22 last year with his girlfriend when he locked eyes with the victim at about 5.15pm and appeared agitated.

According to police facts, Conwell walked up to the victim, stood approximately 4cm away from him and said: “If you don’t give my girlfriend $100 by Monday, people are going to come to your house and break your skull.”

The victim suggested they “take it outside” to have a conversation away from the gym, but Conwell refused to leave.

Lachlan Conwell, 23, pleaded guilty to his role in a common assault and was sentenced in the Gosford Local Court.

The victim reiterated that he wanted to continue the discussion outside. As he turned and began to walk away, he heard Conwell make a gargling noise.

The victim then turned back and asked, “Did you spit on me?” to which Conwell replied, “Yes, yes I did.”

Conwell threatened to fight the victim in a bare knuckle fight.

Conwell then approached the victim, pushed him and grabbed his arm.

A witness and another gym member intervened, pulling the pair apart.

Conwell, still agitated, yelled at the victim: “Bare knuckles. Whoever dies first, dies first.”

He continued shouting, claiming he knew people who would harm the victim.

The victim and the witness reported the incident to gym staff at reception.

Conwell’s lawyer told the court his client believed he was doing the right thing by standing up for his girlfriend, but acknowledged his actions were unacceptable.

Magistrate Kirralee Perry said the assault was just below the mid-range of seriousness.

“You spat on the victim, which is one of the most abhorrent things you can do to someone,” she said.

“Firstly, there’s a hygiene risk. Secondly, it’s incredibly disrespectful. Then you pushed him and threatened him.

“I don’t know if you thought you were in some kind of duel, but you cannot behave like that. There is something seriously wrong with that attitude.

“If you continue to act this way, there’s only one place you’ll end up — and that’s in prison.”

In addition to a community corrections order, Conwell was also placed on a two-year conditional release order without conviction.