William Price sentenced after smashing schooner glass on man’s head at Hornsby Inn
Delivery truck driver William Ernest Price, 27, of Hornsby, has been sentenced over a booze-fuelled assault at the Hornsby Inn. Read all the details here.
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A delivery driver who was on a night out at the local pub got into a heated argument with a woman, then ended up smashing a schooner glass on a man’s head who tried to intervene, a court has heard.
William Ernest Price, 27, of Hornsby was sentenced at Hornsby Local Court on August 5 after pleading guilty to affray between 12.15am and 12.20am on June 20.
According to papers tendered in court, Price went to the Hornsby Inn with a group of mates.
At one point he was standing outside with a schooner glass in his back pocket when he got into a heated argument with a woman where he “was yelling derogatory names” at her and “pushed [the woman] in the chest forcing her backwards a few steps”, police facts state.
Documents reveal a man he knew, Daniel Condor, intervened and stood between Price and the woman “to protect” her but Price swung at Condor’s head with a schooner glass “causing the glass to shatter upon impact”.
The glass smashed the back of Condor’s head and the two men began to wrestle on the road until the woman involved managed to break up the fight, police facts state.
Court papers show Price left the area in an Uber while police were called to the Hornsby Inn and a crime scene was established where they took pictures of Condor’s injuries including cuts to the back of his head and blood flowing from a wound.
He was taken to Hornsby Hospital for treatment where he received stitches on his head and the next day he reported the incident to police.
While Condor insisted he did not wish to press charges, police charged Price with Affray, arresting him on June 26.
According to police, when Price was being questioned he admitted to smashing the glass on Condor’s head, stating “it’s me”.
During court proceedings on August 5 Price’s lawyer Philip Cox told the court his client has “a panic reaction”.
“He’s telling me he hasn’t got a drinking problem and he’s a driver. He has a child at home,” Mr Warren said.
Magistrate Louise McManus said the fact that Price didn’t plead not guilty “shows you’ve got significant remorse” but she said the crime was too serious for her to dismiss.
“It’s at the serious end of affray. People should be able to go out and drink and not have this happen. It’s silly behaviour and it’s silly for a 27-year-old and father of two,” Magistrate McManus said.
“There’s no excuse for what occurred on that night. I think it has crossed the threshold. The only penalty can be a custodial sentence but given your response, your plea of guilty and the big gap in offending I will apply an ICO and not a custody.”
Price was convicted and received a community corrections order for eight months. In addition, he was ordered to undertake counselling.
He was offered an opportunity to make comment outside of court but declined.