Kane Ashwood case of alleged coward punch on footy field delayed due to small town gossip

The case of a man who allegedly coward punched a 19-year-old opponent in a Gippsland footy game has had his case delayed due to small town gossip.

Small town gossip has forced a magistrate to step aside from hearing the case of a man accused of coward punching another on the footy field.

Magistrate Tim Walsh said all of Bairnsdale was talking about the case of Kane Ashwood, who is facing court after he allegedly punched 19-year-old Caleb Marsh during a game between the Lindenow and Paynesville football clubs.

Mr Ashwood, 36, was meant to be facing a diversion hearing in the Bairnsdale Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday before Mr Walsh adjourned the case.

“The whole town is talking about this,” Mr Walsh said.

“I have actually had to ask people to stop talking about it. I will be out socialising and people are just talking, talking, talking.

“I grew up here and nothing has changed.”

Lindenow Football Club midfielder Kane Ashood, 36, has been charged with recklessly causing serious injury after an on-field incident on Saturday (25 June 2022). Ashwood, a real estate agent, allegedly hit an opponent in the third quarter of a match against Paynesville. , Picture: Supplied

Mr Walsh said it was best another magistrate, not from the area, took over to avoid anyone thinking Mr Ashwood was granted “special treatment”.

“There could be a view that he (Mr Ashwood) got taken care of because he’s so and so’s mate, you know,” he said.

“People talk and the story just gets bigger and bigger.”

Mr Ashwood’s defence barrister told the court there was also an issue involving a third party, who appeared to make contact with Marsh in a video of the attack.

The video is being sent to experts to have the quality increased.

The lawyer submitted there was reason to believe another person made contact with Mr Marsh during the fight, therefore it would be difficult to prove it was Mr Ashwood’s alleged punch that caused Mr Marsh’s injuries.

Mr Marsh’s grandfather David Marsh said, at the time, it was “the worst incident (he had) ever seen on a footy field”.

Mr Ashwood is a veteran midfielder and former coach of the Lindenow Football Club and was charged with recklessly causing serious injury — a charge which carries a maximum 15-year jail term.

Mr Marsh was playing his first year in the Paynesville Football Club’s senior side after starting the season in the reserves.

Lindenow Football Club midfielder Kane Ashood, 36, has been charged with recklessly causing serious injury after an on-field incident on Saturday (25 June 2022). Ashwood, a real estate agent, allegedly hit an opponent in the third quarter of a match against Paynesville. , Picture: Supplied

Police and ambulance crews were at the ground within minutes of the fight, which was “well away” from play.

Spectators said Mr Marsh appeared to be unconscious “before he hit the ground” after Mr Ashwood allegedly delivered a powerful coward punch from behind, having run towards the incident from up to 30m away.

There had been a series of minor scuffles during the game, which Lindenow won 14.18 (102) to 5.9 (39).

A spectator told the Herald Sun shortly after the incident “there was nothing really going on, there was a bit of pushing and shoving”.

Mr Marsh, an apprentice tradesman, spent the night in a neck brace at Bairnsdale Hospital being treated for a severe concussion.

The case will return to the Bairnsdale Magistrates court next month.