Tony Patrulovski: verdict for man charged over soccer match assault

A magistrate has delivered a verdict on a man charged with assaulting a 12-year-old boy who was filming an on-field biff at a junior football match.

A man who assaulted a 12-year-old boy as he filmed an on-field brawl at a junior football match in Sydney has been castigated by a magistrate for losing his temper.

Tony Patrulovski, 53, was charged with assault causing actual bodily harm and intimidation after police had alleged he assaulted the boy on the sideline of the junior football match on May 27, 2020.

The court heard a on-field fight had broken out on the field after the match between Oatley Football Club and Rockdale Ilinden, prompting the boy to turn his phone toward the action.

The child alleged Patrulovski had then grabbed him by the throat, before his hand slid to the child’s shirt collar and ripped his shirt – leaving him with redness and scratch marks to his neck before onlookers rushed to his aid.

Tony Patrulovski at Sutherland Local Court in 2020. Picture: Toby Zerna

Patrulovski had consistently denied the claims and fought the charges at a local court hearing but Magistrate Jayeann Carney at Sutherland Local Court found him guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm on February 25.

She dismissed the charge of intimidation, which was based on an allegation Patrulovski had continued to eyeball the child from across the field after the assault.

“He acted out of character, but his character should have been strong enough, he should have restrained himself,” Ms Carney said.

“Even if he got upset about someone filming in a public place, he cannot act in the manner that he did – he lost his temper and he provoked the situation.”

Patrulovski had acknowledged using his hand to move the boy’s phone away from his direction but had continually denied assaulting the boy in the process.

Tony Patrulovski at Sutherland Local Court in 2020. Picture: Toby Zerna

The court heard he was working in the building industry, volunteered at PCYC Rockdale and had no prior criminal record.

“One of his referees says he exhibits kindness to others and he is a cheerful and happy person,” Ms Carney said.

“I’m sure he is all of those things, save for this out of character behaviour on that day when he assaulted the child.”

Patrulovski’s barrister had appealed to Ms Carney not to convict his client.

But Ms Carney instead imposed a conditional release order with a conviction, considering the victim’s young age as an aggravating factor in the case.

The court also finalised an apprehended violence order for the child’s protection, which will forbid Patrulovski from going within 10m of the child.