Miner William ‘Billy’ Baker released on appeal following intoxicated one-punch pub fight

A Hunter Valley miner who punched a man unconscious at a pub, because he was talking to his girlfriend, has appealed his 18-month jail sentence. Read what happened.

William Baker had his jail sentence appeal granted in Newcastle District Court on Friday. Supplied Amy Ziniak

A Hunter Valley miner who punched a man unconscious at a pub because he was talking to his girlfriend has been given his “last chance”, released from jail on a district court appeal.

William ‘Billy’ Baker, 28, from Bulga was jailed in Singleton Local Court last month for 18 months after pleading guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, for “yet another act of physical violence” committed while under the influence of alcohol.

The court heard the dump truck driver had already previously been jailed for violent offences and had committed five serious offences relating to alcohol consumption in the past decade.

Baker was jailed for a one-punch assault at Singleton Local Court last month before he was granted an appeal to serve it via intensive correction order (ICO). Generic pic.

His most recent incident when he was at a local pub following the death of his grandmother in a one-punch attack on a man “unprovoked”.

The court heard the 28-year-old saw another man speaking to his partner asking her for smokes when he had left the table, which then prompted a heavily intoxicated Baker to unleash and punch him to the face.

The man fell off the stool and lost consciousness and had to be taken to Singleton Hospital to have stitches to his upper lip to stop it bleeding.

In Newcastle District Court on Friday, Judge Peter McGrath said Baker was at a “crossroads” and with his record had to recognise the effects alcohol had on his functioning and poor decision making.

The court heard Baker had a history of binge drinking and had difficulty regulating his emotions.

The Crown said the unprovoked attack was on a complete stranger and that the 28-year-old continued to put himself in a position where violence occurred due to his drinking.

But Judge McGrath granted the appeal for the 18 month jail sentence to be served by way of intensive correction order (ICO) and imposed stringent conditions.

That included a 8pm-8am curfew, to abstain from alcohol for the entirety of the order and to not attend any licensed premise.

“This is your last chance to deal with your issues and re-establish yourself. It will be hard it’s but up to you, I doubt you’ll get another chance from the courts,” he said.