Brandon Thomas Locke-Walker: Rosehill Racecourse brawler sentenced
They were the shocking photos which captured headlines across NSW. And now details have been revealed in court on the involvement of one of the brawlers who had an “active role” in the “war of the roses’’ mayhem at Rosehill Racecourse.
Parramatta
Don't miss out on the headlines from Parramatta . Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Lawyer fights to prevent media coverage of sexual assault charge
- Tributes role in for ‘bright, beaming light’ Claire Georgey
A man charged after a wild brawl dubbed the war of the roses at Rosehill Racecourse, has been banned from drinking alcohol for 12 months.
Brandon Thomas Locke-Walker, 22, faced Parramatta Local Court for sentencing on Tuesday, when it heard the grog-fuelled brawl erupted after the races when he was on a good behaviour bond for a fight at the Dora Creek Workers Club in the Lake Macquarie region two years ago.
The apprentice metal fitter came close to a jail sentence for his “active role” in a melee where up to 30 people threw punches and ripped each other’s clothes after the race meet on December 7 at the western Sydney racetrack.
Locke-Walker’s shirt and trousers were ripped, exposing his tattoos and he was charged with affray.
There were seven key offenders in the brawl that was sparked when one of Locke-Walker’s mates made a comment about the partner of one of the opposing groups.
Men including Nathan Luke ran to Locke-Walker and his mates Bailey Petrie and Matthew Samuel Becker to trade blows.
The fight was dubbed the war of the roses and the video went viral online after Hayley Luke, who was wielding a bunch of roses to whack the warring parties, reportedly did so to defend her father, Stephen, who was charged with affray and is still before the courts.
Hayley was not charged.
At court on Tuesday, Locke-Walker, who pleaded guilty to the offence, was supported by his girlfriend.
His lawyer told the court the Wyee man had sought counselling and medication to treat his depression and anxiety since the brawl.
“He has the support of his partner and family. One positive that has come out of it is that he has finally taken the steps to seek some mental health treatment,’’ he said.
He requested a similar sentence to co-accused Nathan Luke, who was handed an intensive correction order and an $800 fine after being charged with affray.
The prosecution argued Locke-Walker blamed others for the incident and portrayed himself as the victim.
Magistrate Jennifer Price told Locke-Walker he had an active role in the incident and needed to tackle his alcohol problem.
“At the outset there were opportunities for you to desist and you haven’t taken those opportunities,’’ she said.
“The concern … is the use of alcohol and misuse of alcohol and responses to situations you find yourself in.
“You don’t have a lengthy criminal history but you certainly have a history of a similar nature.’’
He was handed down a seven-month intensive correction order and must report to Community Corrections in Cardiff, abstain from alcohol and complete 75 hours of community service.
In February, co-accused Matthew Becker, 32, and Bailey Petrie, 19, were sentenced after facing affray charges for the brawl.