Hong Ben Lee sentenced for Mardi Gras Pyrmont park brawl

A man who punched a teen girl four times in the head during a Mardi Gras brawl was stabbed while in prison in what’s been described as a revenge attack, a court heard.

A man who swung punches at the heads of teenage girls in a horrendous Mardi Gras brawl which went viral on social media has narrowly dodged a prison sentence.

Hong Ben Lee, 21, had spent the night cruising and drinking across Sydney Harbour when he disembarked with mates and walked through Pirrama Park, Pyrmont.

The court heard a “heated verbal argument” ignited between a member of the boat party and a group of up to 20 people, who had also been drinking.

Ben Hong Lee leaves court on Monday.

Lee’s lawyer told the court his client’s first act was noble, pushing his associate and alleged brawl instigator William Shepley after he was allegedly kicking a teenage girl on the ground. Shepley, of Mascot, has been charged with affray and assault and has not entered any pleas.

Court documents state Lee then “stood over” the same female, before a second teenage girl reacted and punched him.

The brawl escalated with Lee ultimately landing four punches to the head of one female and a punch to a second teenage girl, causing cuts inside her mouth.

Lee then left the scene before being arrested shortly after.

Lee was charged following the brawl. Picture: Instagram

The incident took place at Pirrama Park, Pyrmont. Picture: Instagram

The court heard the 21-year-old was “embarrassed” and “remorseful” for his wild actions, had completed an anger management course, and now knows that he should’ve just walked away.

His lawyer told the court that while Lee was remanded in custody for three weeks at Parklea Correctional Centre he was stabbed in what was said to be revenge for the brawl and was taken to hospital.

A psychologist report stated the 21-year-old was also under pressure by his role as “translator” for the family tiling business, with his parents speaking limited English and relying on Lee heavily.

The scene at Pirrama Park, Pyrmont. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

When being sentenced at Downing Centre Local Court on Monday, Lee was told he was facing full-time jail following his guilty pleas to affray, common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

“The community won’t put up with people, drunk or not, walking through the parks and streets and causing people to fear for their lives,” Magistrate Perry said.

“It isn’t appropriate behaviour and it must stop or you will end up back in jail. You should’ve walked away.”

Lee was convicted of all offences, placed on a two-year community corrections order, ordered to complete 150 hours community service and fined $1500.