Local footballer sorry after violent Newcastle Maccas brawl which saw him sentenced
A rugby league player has been sentenced over a McDonald’s brawl in Newcastle after CCTV footage showed him delivering a ‘soccer-like’ kick to a male’s head, while it’s also revealed he pushed two women to the ground.
Newcastle
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A young Kotara Bears rugby league player has told a court of his “disgust” and “embarrassment” of being involved in a violent brawl that broke out at the King St McDonalds earlier this year.
Cody Hope-Hodgetts, 21, was seen on CCTV footage, with three of his mates, kicking and punching a number of unknown males and aggressively pushing two women to the ground, during a fight at the Newcastle West Maccas just after midnight on February 24.
After pleading guilty to affray and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, Hope-Hodgetts was sentenced in Newcastle Local Court on Tuesday to two years jail and 21 months jail, concurrently, with a non-parole period of nine months.
His girlfriend sobbed in the court room as Magistrate Peter Barnett read out his terms of imprisonment saying Hope-Hodgetts did show remorse but it was a “horrendous” offence.
“I accept he has an understanding and remorse for what he has done,” Magistrate Barnett said.
“But the pushing of the two girls was quite violent, and on a hard ground such as a car park can be horrendous in the extreme.
“Having regard for alcohol fueled violence and protection of community, this is not a matter for an ICO (intensive corrections order).”
But within hours of being sentenced, Hope-Hodgetts was released on conditional bail after a severity appeal was lodged.
The court heard Hope-Hodgetts got a call from mate while drinking with his girlfriend and friends at Wests the night of the incident, after they had been kicked out of King St hotel and got in a fight.
When he arrived he said he went to the aid of a mate who got punched to the back of the head.
“I didn’t think twice to help out my mate,” he said.
CCTV footage captured the entire incident which showed Hope-Hodgetts grabbing an unknown male and throwing him to the ground before he punched and kicked him in the head.
He is seen taking a step back and delivering a “soccer like” kick to the side of his head.
Hope-Hodgetts was also seen approaching the victim with a left hook from behind, hitting him in the face and knocking him to the ground, before he kicked him three times in the back and head whilst on the ground.
He followed the victim outside and again punched him to the back of the head.
Documents also stated Hope-Hodgetts was trying to entice anyone to fight him before being seen approaching two females and pushing them to the ground in an unprovoked attack.
The victim required medical attention and was taken to hospital with scans revealing he had fractures to his back.
“I’m ashamed of what I put this man through,” Hope-Hodgetts said while giving evidence.
“The way I acted was disgusting and I take full responsibly.
“I’m embarrassed I can’t even watch the footage.”
Since the offending Hope-Hodgetts told the court he had abstained from drinking, besides having four beers at his football grand final.
He also admitted to attending two alcoholics anonymous meetings and seeing a psychologist for his anger problems.
“Things that happen are because of alcohol,” he told the court.
“Prior to the incident I consumed drugs and alcohol most weekends.
“Now I play footy, boxing, train most days.”
His solicitor Ana Qvist agreed the footage was horrendous but he had displayed remorse and acknowledged the damage to the victim.
“It was normal for him to consume a cocktail of party drugs and alcohol each weekend but it stopped after the offence,” Ms Qvist said.
“He did recognise he had an issue with alcohol.”
The prosecution questioned Hope-Hodgetts on why in May he had previously denied being involved in the brawl when police knocked on his door.
And why it took six months for him to finally take any action to show his remorse after the offending.
He replied, “I didn’t have much recollection.”
Co-accused Adam Furneaux and Adam Bolch were before the courts for the matter in August. They both received a three and a half year ICO.
Blake Christie has a hearing scheduled for January next year.