Jesse Edmunds charged with common assault after slot machine punch

A south coast man has faced court after he attacked another at a slot machine ‘out of fear’ following a recent home invasion where he was the victim.

Jesse Edmunds leaving Batemans Bay Local Court.

A south coast man who punched someone in the face at a slot machine claimed it was out of fear, after he was viciously attacked in a home invasion months ago, a court has heard.

Jesse Edmunds, 25, from Catalina, faced Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to common assault.

Agreed police facts tendered to Batemans Bay Local Court stated Edmunds was using a slot machine at the Catalina Country Club on December 29 last year with a group of friends.

Late in the evening, the victim in the matter believed Edmunds to be staring at him and as a result, asked, “what the f--k are you looking at?”.

Edmunds ignored the man, who soon after walked over to confront him, before Edmunds used his right fist to strike the victims face.

“This caused the victim to immediately collapse to the ground,” agreed facts stated.

Solicitor Lisa Stone described the attack as fearful, as Edmunds was recently the victim of a home invasion which “nearly killed him”.

“He suffered near fatal injuries in a recent home invasion and as a result, he is hyper vigilant,” she said.

In the recent attack, Edmunds was stabbed once in the head, once in the hand and four times in the chest, puncturing his lung.

“He attacked this man at the club out of fear,” Mrs Stone said.

Agreed facts state police attended the club after the attack, where a manager gave them the CCTV footage.

Two days later, officers visited Edmunds in his home, where he admitted to the attack and confirmed he was the one in the footage.

He was arrested and willingly participated in a police interview at Batemans Bay police station.

Magistrate Doug Dick said while the attack was uncalled for, he agreed it was due to fear.

“I know you acted out of character,” he said.

“But I am going to have to impose a fine today.”

Edmunds was convicted and fined $500.