Grant Alec Coleman sentenced over one-punch death of surfer Chris Davidson

The man who killed a celebrated former pro surfer in a one-punch attack outside a Mid-North Coast country club in a supposed effort to “protect young girls” has been sentenced.

Surfer Chris Davidson at North Narabeen Beach in Sydney.

A man who claimed the life of a former Australian surfing champion in a one-punch attack has been labelled a vigilante who had appointed himself as an “unofficial sheriff” in their small town.

Grant Alec Coleman, 43, pleaded guilty to assault causing death in relation to the death of ex-pro surfer Chris Davidson, and common assault.

In Newcastle District Court on Friday, Judge Peter McGrath sentenced Coleman to a three-year non-parole jail term, saying vigilantism will not be tolerated.

Judge McGrath said Coleman had appointed himself as a kind of “unofficial sheriff of South West Rocks who determined who was, and who was not, acceptable in his hometown”.

He found the fatal punch was targeted and he took the law into his own hands.

Former Pro Surfer Chris Davidson was allegedly killed at South West Rocks around 11pm on Saturday 24th September, 2022. Picture: Instagram

“(Coleman) had targeted Mr Davidson all night, remained in the vicinity of the club and, I find, he was awaiting the deceased’s departure,” Judge McGrath said.

For assault causing death he was sentenced to a three-year non-parole period, from the day of the offence, meaning he will first be eligible for release on September 24 next year.

In relation to the assault he was given a three-month sentence backdated to the day of the offence meaning it has already expired.

Both ‘living off past glories’

Coleman, the brother of NSW Waratahs coach Darren Coleman, has been remanded in custody since his arrest following the altercation at the South West Rocks Country Club on September 24, 2022.

He was operating a successful roofing business at the time.

Grant Coleman

It was heard during sentencing on Friday that Darren speaks with his brother daily and has been engaging with the prison chaplain about his offending, issues with alcohol and his “path to becoming a better person”.

The assault took place within the poker room of the club, with the punch causing his death occurring just outside the front doors.

Judge McGrath said at the time both Coleman and Mr Davidson were “living off past glories” – with Coleman a successful football player into his 30s and Davidson once travelling the world as a former pro surfer.

Surfer Chris "Davo" Davidson died after he was punched outside a venue in South West Rocks. Picture: Facebook

Footage from inside the club depicted Coleman approaching Mr Davidson, who was playing a gaming machine, from the side and putting both hands around his throat.

Mr Davidson had lost the use of his left arm in a car crash and he could be seen playing with his right hand as Coleman approached.

Wanted to ‘protect young girls’

During a sentencing hearing in December last year it was heard that Coleman, who grew up in South West Rocks, spoke about a kind of obsession with Mr Davidson.

“I did obsess about him a bit – my obsession came because I wanted to protect young girls,” he said in Newcastle District Court on December 13.

“I’d heard rumours from his history and I wanted to let him know it wasn’t acceptable in our community.”

In the lead up to Coleman’s sentence, the Daily Telegraph revealed the former surfer had a conviction for a child sex offence.

The court heard there had been an interaction between Mr Davidson and a young woman of a “vast age difference” at the club which Coleman had observed.

Chris Davidson in a photo shoot several years ago.

His defence lawyer said this was the context of the offending and told the court his client’s acquired brain injury from high impact sports and a number of car accidents significantly impaired his self control.

The CCTV footage from outside the club shows Mr Coleman walking back up the stairs after being asked to leave, and approaching Mr Davidson as he came out.

Coleman hit him and Davidson fell lifeless onto the tiles about 11pm as several people there waiting for the courtesy bus looked on.

After being struck outside the club Davidson was taken to Kempsey Hospital for treatment, but went into cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead a short time later.

Live a life sentence every day

Mr Davidson was once celebrated as one of the most talented surfers in the world and a victim impact statement from his sister detailed he was the prime carer for his elderly mother at South West Rocks at the time of the incident.

“We live a life sentence every day,” she said.

Following her son’s death Mr Davidson’s mother has had to move to Sydney.

Mr Davidson’s death sent shockwaves through the surfing world and around his local communities in South West Rocks and North Narrabeen.