Billy Smyth convicted of common assault after brawl at George IV Inn, Picton

An insult was the catalyst for a pub brawl where beer was split, punches were thrown and patrons tried to intervene, a court heard. One man told police he was attacked for no reason, but CCTV soon revealed a different story.

Billy Smyth (right) appeared at Picton Local Court and was convicted.

A man involved in a pub brawl after a Christmas party told police he was attacked for no reason. However, CCTV soon showed what really kicked off the fight which spilt out from the gaming room to the outdoor section.

Billy Smyth, 23, fronted Picton Local Court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to common assault.

On December 21, Smyth was drinking in the gaming area at the George IV Inn at Picton when, according to court documents, Jodie Keeley made a remark about his dad.

Angered, Smyth confronted Ms Keeley before her son Braydon Keeley defended her.

Smyth pushed Braydon before a physical altercation kicked off. A group tried to intervene and stop them when another man named Bradley Keeley grabbed Smyth by the collar who retaliated by trying to punch him, court documents state.

Smyth was sentenced to an 18-month community correction order.

Then, according to court documents, Matthew Dunn approached to help de-escalate the situation but was pushed out the way and had beer spilt on himself before Dunn punched Braydon twice.

Another man named Riley Keeley joined in and punched Dunn five times before Braydon approached Smyth and was kicked multiple times.

According to court documents, Braydon then grabbed Smyth around the waist while Smyth elbowed him to the head. The pair continued to brawl as Braydon grabbed Smyth in a headlock and punched him.

Jodie tried to break up the fight but it continued for a few minutes and then spilt into the outdoor area of the pub and escalated in front of other patrons.

According to court documents, the altercation continued to a nearby table filled with about ten people before Smyth threw a punch at Bradley before he was again dragged away by an intervening witness.

Police soon arrived and Smyth said he was attacked unprovoked but CCTV showed a different version of events.

Billy Smyth (right) appeared at Picton Local Court and was convicted.

Braydon told police “it was a drunk comment and then it got out of hand”.

At court last week, lawyer Christopher Wozniak said there was an ongoing history between two families.

He told the court Smyth had been at a Christmas party before the incident, and it was important to note the affray charge had been withdrawn.

Mr Wozniak said Smyth had issues with alcohol and “I’ve told him frankly if he continues down this path he’ll be back for the court”.

Magistrate David Degnan told Smyth he was the one that started the violence.

“Some words might have been said … [but] if you react you’re letting the other party win,” he said.

“People that lose their wag over something that was said, it’s just not worth it. You’re the person that started the physicality involved.”

Smyth was convicted, fined $1000 and sentenced to an 18-month community correction order.

Matthew Dunn was convicted of affray and sentenced to a 18 month conditional release order.

Bradley Keeley, Braydon Keeley and Riley Keeley were all found guilty of common assault without conviction. A charge of affray against Jodie Keeley was withdrawn and dismissed.