Denman Devils captain-coach, Iliesa Makita Cama avoids jail time for breaking another player’s jaw
The captain-coach of the Denman Devils has escaped jail time after a judge granted an appeal against the severity of his sentence for breaking another player’s jaw on the football field.
Newcastle
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The family and friends of a Hunter Valley footy player, who was jailed after he shattered an opponent’s jaw because he called him a “black dog”, showed sheer relief in court as the judge downgraded his sentence to be served in the community.
Iliesa Makita Cama, 27, of Lake Haven, pleaded guilty in Wyong Local Court in July to one count of recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm stemming from an incident on May 19 during a rugby league match.
The Fijian international who was captain-coach for the Denman Devils in the Upper Hunter Group 21 rugby league competition, was playing against the Murrurundi Mavericks, when he was tackled by an opponent nearing the end of the match.
As he got up to play the ball the father-of-two told police the victim, 22-year-old Ryan Holman, punched him in the right side of the face before he retaliated and punched him back.
The court heard that when Mr Holman was on the ground he made a racial slur towards Cama, calling him a “black dog”.
That’s when Cama punched him in the head, around two to three times, which caused Mr Holman to become unconscious, as other players pulled the Fijian from the fight.
Rushed to Muswellbrook Hospital, before being taken to the John Hunter Hospital, Mr Holman sustained multiple fractures to his jaw, which he required surgery for.
In August Cama was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment but immediately lodged a severity appeal.
In Newcastle District Court on Monday, Cama’s solicitor Ben Hoffman suggested his client should serve the sentence by way of intensive corrections order (ICO) required to complete community service.
He told the court Cama had been seeing a psychologist once a fortnight since July for cognitive behavioural therapy.
He mentioned Cama had one child who suffered ADHD, and his wife Lyndal suffered physical health conditions which impacted on her capacity to care for all children.
A permanent resident looking to become an Australian citizen, Mr Hoffman said his client could have visa troubles if a term of imprisonment was maintained.
“The tribunal will look at the nature of the imprisonment,” he said.
Crown prosecutor Brad Godson agreed it was suitable for Cama’s sentence to be downgraded.
“It was a violent act, this happens a lot in the sporting arena, but the racial slur should be considered as part of offending,” Mr Godson said.
“Some community service would be more appropriate for the offender.”
Magistrate Tim Gartelmann told the court the conduct of the victim did not excuse the accused, however it did lessen the degree of culpability against Cama.
“It is clear there was gross provocation, but the injury the victim suffered was serious and indeed well capable of mounting to really serious bodily harm,” he said.
“He has an extensive history playing rugby league, testimonials indicate he has never behaved before in this way and since the offence has developed symptoms of anxiety.
“There is need for general deterrence for violence in the sporting arena, but having regard to his progress, he is suitable for community service.”
Judge Gartelmann quashed the term of imprisonment to be served as an ICO with the conditions he must perform 200 hours of community service and continue to accept treatment from a psychologist.
Outside court, flanked by supporters and tightly clutching his wife, Cama was silent when asked about the outcome, but on his behalf Mr Hoffman said he was thankful for the outcome.
“He’s quite regretful for what occurred, but he thinks today was a just outcome balancing on the factors,” he said.
After the incident, Cama was handed a 13-week suspension by the Group 21 judiciary.