Western Sydney rapper Hooligan Hefs avoids full-time jail after Ivy Pool Club brawl

Western Sydney rapper Hooligan Hefs has avoided full-time jail after a court heard he was allegedly punched multiple times before being involved in an all-out brawl at the Ivy Pool Club.

A Western Sydney rapper has avoided full-time jail after a court heard he was allegedly punched four times before retaliating “beyond the point of self-defence” in what turned into an all-out brawl at a vibrant Sydney venue.

Simeona Malagamaalii, 26, known in the music industry as ‘Hooligan Hefs’, appeared alongside his brother Sam, 28, and friend Travaughn Leota, 24, at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday.

The trio each pleaded guilty to affray after their involvement in a brawl at the Ivy Pool Club on a Sunday in February.

Agreed facts reveal the trio were at the venue with four other men when Simeona was walking past Calvin Tusa Taito-Tusa who called out to him before allegedly punching him in the face.

The pair engaged in a physical struggle where Taito-Tusa allegedly continued to punch Simeona.

Sydney rapper Hooligan Hefs leaving Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday.

Simeona Malagamaalii is known in the music industry as Hooligan Hefs. Picture: Supplied/Warner Music Australia

Taito-Tusa has pleaded not guilty to affray.

It sparked an affray which Magistrate Daniel Covington said lasted about 90 seconds, including Taito-Tusa being punched in the head several times by multiple people.

Security guards at the Ivy attempted to break up the brawl which included Leota punching and stomping on Taito-Tusa’s head, agreed facts revealed.

Sam punched Taito-Tusa multiple times with agreed facts stating Simeona kicked him in the head.

Taito-Tusa was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital after police arrived at the Ivy with the brawl captured on CCTV.

Simeona’s lawyer Laith Abu-Ali said on Wednesday his client has had a “successful career in music”, travelling around the world, including a recent trip to New Zealand.

The court heard Simeona and his older brother Sam “had a violent upbringing”.

Mr Abu-Ali said Simeona was at the Ivy with friends when he was “called over by some fans” before Taito-Tusa allegedly punched him “four times”.

Sam Malagamaalii.

Travaughn Leota.

He said his client retaliated, and took it to the next level, “beyond the point of self-defence”.

While saying Simeona accepted his conduct was “reckless” and a “lapse of judgement”, Mr Abu-Ali said there was a “significant degree of provocation” and he was unlikely to reoffend.

He submitted that Sam felt the need to protect his brother and he too accepted he went beyond the point of self-defence.

Leota’s lawyer Daniel Kradolfer said his client joined 30 seconds into the brawl and while accepting his actions weren’t insignificant, he had shown remorse.

Despite Mr Covington acknowledging the trio weren’t the instigators, he described the offending as a “serious example of affray” and found the threshold for imprisonment had “clearly” been crossed.

He ultimately handed each of the men an 18-month custodial sentence to be served in the community by way of an intensive correction order.

They were each prohibited from entering the Ivy during that period.