Zane Crean, Joshua Catherall defend assault at Vinyl Room, Gymea

A man has told the court he threw the first punch after he confronted a group of men outside a nightclub in Sydney’s south – but was acting in self defence as he felt threatened.

Zane Crean, 25, (right) and Joshua Catherall, 21, (left) allegedly punched men during a brawl outside The Vinyl Room nightclub. Pictures: Ashleigh Tullis

Two mates have claimed they were acting in self defence when they punched men during a brawl outside a Gymea nightclub.

Zane Crean, 25, and Joshua Catherall, 21, pleaded not guilty to charges of common assault with Crean also denying a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm related to a fight outside The Vinyl Room in Gymea last year.

Crean and Catherall, who live in Caringbah and Gymea respectively, defended the allegations at a second day of hearing in Sutherland Local Court on Friday.

Police allege Crean left the club in the early hours of July 23 and got food then he came back to “confront” a group of men, claiming he had been hit by one of them while inside the club.

Police allege Crean got into a verbal altercation with the young men. Crean said, when giving evidence to the court, he was being “egged on” by the group who were being “smart-arses”.

Zane Crean pleaded not guilty to charges of common assault with Crean also denying a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

Crean told the court he “just wanted to talk” to them and it was members of the other group who said to Crean, “what are you going to do, there are eight of us and one of you”.

The court previously heard one of the men, Max Harris, allegedly tried to calm Crean down because he was being aggressive, telling him his group of friends did not want to fight.

Joshua Catherall pleaded not guilty to charges of common assault. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

“I wasn’t being aggressive,” Crean said.

Crean said he punched Max Harris in the face because he felt “threatened”.

In cross examination, Crean conceded “there was no need to hit him” but said he was fearful he would be punched.

Mr Harris’ friend Jude Wrigley previously told the court he walked over to protect his mate.

The court previously heard, Crean and Wrigley started yelling and swearing at each other before Crean allegedly punched Wrigley in the face.

Crean told the court he was then hit and he “blacked out”, fell to the ground and was unable to remember exactly what happened.

Catherall gave evidence he left the club and saw Crean on the ground with four men kicking him, one punching him and another holding him down.

“I ran over and punched the first guy who held Zane and everyone scattered,” Catherall said.

He claimed he acted in self defence to protect his friend.

Catherall said there was pushing and shoving but the fight was broken up by security, and police arrived with Crean and Catherall the only ones who were arrested.

Both men denied being restrained by security guards and disagreed they were “taking run ups” and hitting Wrigley in the face.

Both men admitted to consuming 10 or 12 drinks and were drunk but not heavily intoxicated.

Magistrate Melissa Humphreys adjourned to deliver her decision on June 7.