Blake Osgood: groom sentenced for wedding night brawl

It was supposed to be the best day of his life. It instead ended in a chaotic melee amid a fog of police capsicum spray.

A groom who spent his wedding night behind bars charged with assaulting police after his wife’s family came to blows at their wedding reception has been described as a “gentle giant” with a “strong moral compass”.

One of NSW Police’s most experienced detective inspectors was among those who came to Blake Osgood’s defence after he was charged with assaulting two police officers, hindering two police officers and offensive behaviour after his wedding reception in Cronulla last year.

The Woolooware truck driver’s wedding had gone off without a hitch until a conflict among his new bride’s family disrupted the celebrations at Elouera Surf Club on November 21.

“At 9.15pm Osgood exited the wedding reception and approached a group of people arguing in the foyer of the surf club,” agreed police facts stated.

“The accused grabbed a male by the shirt before throwing three punches at his face.”

After other patrons broke up the brawl Osgood was seen by police shouting at his wife’s family “you’re the weakest c*** I’ve ever met”.

Blake Osgood exiting Surry Hills Police Station after he was released on bail. Picture: Monique Harmer

Osgood’s friends then had to hold him back as police officers sought to arrest another man at the scene, before Osgood told a leading senior constable to “f*** off, mate” and struck him in the arm.

The leading senior constable then pepper sprayed Osgood twice, leading to chaotic scenes in which other officers were also contaminated with the spray before Osgood shoulder charged an officer who suffered soft tissue injuries to his wrist and knees.

“In video footage you can hear one of the female police officers is swearing and quite disgusted about the fact he let the OC spray go over everybody,” Osgood’s solicitor told Magistrate Jayeann Carney at Sutherland Local Court.

“He was suffering from that spray at the time (he assaulted the police) and he accepts it was a reckless assault but it was not his intention to assault them.”

Instead of spending his wedding night with his new bride, Osgood – still in his wedding suit – landed in the cells at Surry Hills for 17 hours before he was granted bail at Parramatta Bail Court.

Blake Osgood. Picture: Monique Harmer

Blake Osgood. Picture: Monique Harmer

“The time he spent in custody, not being able to spend time with his wife on his wedding night, he will never get that moment back,” Osgood’s solicitor told the court.

“The incident wasn’t fuelled by anger or alcohol, it was frustration at family members who essentially ruined his wedding.”

Osgood pleaded guilty to all five offences and Ms Carney sentenced him to a 20-month community corrections order with conviction.

“He was scared and totally overwhelmed, and he was furious that the bride’s family had ruined her day in the way that they did,” Ms Carney said.

“Getting married is one of the most major life events for a person and this has affected him, ruining the reception for him and his wife and their family.”

Highly respected Detective Inspector Angelo Memmolo – the officer in charge of the Lindt cafe siege operation and Osgood’s family friend – was among those who volunteered a character reference for the seasoned local rugby league player and coach.

Lindt Cafe lead investigator Detective Inspector Angelo Memmolo. Picture: Britta Campion

“He felt compelled to write a character reference without even being asked, just because he wanted to,” Osgood’s solicitor told the court.

“Mr Memmolo described him as one of the most respectful people he knows, caring and soft in nature, and that the offences are entirely out of character – that he’s never seen him lose his temper or become aggressive.”

Osgood’s solicitor told the court he had also suffered immensely from the public attention surrounding the case, citing a radio show broadcast which repeatedly mocked him and referred to him as a “bogan”.

“One article in particular referred to him punching a police officer, and there has never been an allegation that he punched any police officer,” Osgood’s solicitor told the court.

“He has been subjected to trolling on social media by people who found him and sent him messages.”

Ms Carney identified the article which incorrectly stated Osgood allegedly punched a police officer was published by the Daily Mail.

Osgood is currently in the talent pool for employment with Corrective Services NSW, where he aspires to work in the future now his criminal matters are concluded.

Blake Osgood. Picture: Monique Harmer