Rosehill Gardens brawl: Matthew Becker, Bailey Petrie sentenced
He was charged with affray after a brawl dubbed the ‘war of the roses’ but one of the men arrested over the Rosehill melee was giving his fist a workout for a different reason after leaving court.
Parramatta
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Two men charged after a brawl that was dubbed the war of the roses outside Rosehill Gardens racecourse have been sentenced at Parramatta Local Court.
Matthew Samuel Becker, 32, and Bailey Petrie, 19, pleaded guilty after a fight involving 30 people while celebrating a Christmas party in December.
On February 4, despite now having a criminal record, Becker could not contain his relief after the matter had finally concluded in court.
He left the court where he jumped up and pumped his fist as co-accused Brandon Thomas Locke-Walker, 22, said “you’re a free man, you’re a free man”.
Becker continued to shuffle down Marsden St to the delight of his mates, including Petrie.
Six men have been charged over the fight.
Footage of the brawl went viral online after Hayley Luke, who was whacking rivals with a bunch of roses, reportedly did so to defend her father, Stephen, who was also charged with affray after the incident but is still waiting for his matter to be heard.
Ms Luke was not charged.
Becker and Petrie pleaded guilty immediately after being charged with affray and represented themselves, which, along with having no criminal history, Magistrate Robyn Denes said was significant.
The pair maintained they did not start the fight but Ms Denes told Petrie he was “learning some bad lessons”.
“Christmas parties are not an excuse to get wasted and get in a brawl, no matter what the group said to you,’’ she said.
The court heard how Becker broke up the fight at one point but then got involved again but Ms Denes still handed down a criminal conviction.
“At the end of the day that’s no different to other alcohol-fuelled violence,’’ Ms Denes said.
“I accept you felt your initial reactions were self defence. Ultimately what happened was beyond that.”
Becker and Petrie each received 18 months community service convictions and a $800 fine.
Beau Hollitt and Nathan Luke were also ordered to front court today but their matters were adjourned to February 18.