Louis White charged with assault causing actual bodily harm

An aspiring lawyer and bike mechanic who hit another man at a north shore pub in the mouth so hard his teeth were damaged has said he was provoked before the violent outburst.

Louis White, 20, was sentenced for assault causing actual bodily harm in December 2022 after punching someone at the Greenwood Hotel.

An aspiring lawyer and former private school student punched a man in the mouth and almost knocked his teeth out after the male allegedly slapped his girlfriend, a court has heard.

Louis White, then aged 19, was charged with assault causing actual bodily harm after a fight at Greenwood Hotel at one of its popular Thursday night events on May 20 2021.

The UTS law student and former Trinity Grammar School student was at the pub with his girlfriend when she approached him after conversing with the victim, named Ryan Hamilton-Gibbs.

“During the conversation Mr Hamilton-Gibbs (allegedly) slapped (White’s girlfriend) in the face approximately five times with an open palm,” agreed police facts state.

“Mr Hamilton-Gibbs claimed to have done so playfully, however (White’s girlfriend) was extremely distressed by him (allegedly) slapping her.”

Mr Hamilton-Gibbs has not been charged with any offence in respect of the night in question.

White’s girlfriend, who was shaking and crying, informed him “some guy from her old school had just slapped her five times during a conversation and she did not understand why he would hurt her”.

White’s girlfriend then asked Mr Hamilton-Gibbs to explain his actions before he allegedly made a derogatory remark about her.

The Greenwood Hotel in North Sydney.

After a brief verbal altercation as a result, White punched Mr Hamilton-Gibbs in the mouth with a closed right fist, causing two of his middle bottom teeth to dislodge.

Both Mr Hamilton-Gibbs and White were hospitalised due to injuries incurred in the incident.

At Downing Centre Local Court, White – now 20 – pleaded guilty to the charge.

His solicitor told the court White had given an undertaking he would pay for Mr Hamilton-Gibbs’ dental treatment due to his remorse over the incident.

“There’s a serious intention on the part of my client to make good the harm that he’s caused,” the solicitor said.

Magistrate Ian Guy said “harm of considerable seriousness” had been caused by White’s impulsive decision.

“The events that led to the strike provides some reasonably useful context,” Mr Guy said.

“I’ve also no doubt that the complainant has been feeling stressed and concerned when he stares into the mirror – you sometimes forget there is a victim who is not here in court and their interests need to be considered.”

After some consideration, Mr Guy sentenced White to a two-year conditional release order without conviction.