Melbourne dad Marcus Carmont admits bashing Williamstown junior footy coach Jason Bakker
A Geelong sporting legend, who once played cricket for Victoria, was bashed in front of parents and kids while coaching a junior footy team.
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A leading businessman claimed his PTSD diagnosis led him to punch a junior footy coach to the ground and clobber him in front of horrified parents and kids.
Marcus Carmont, 44, was placed on diversion after accepting responsibility in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday for intentionally causing injury and assault.
Carmont bashed former volunteer Williamstown Junior Football Club coach Jason Bakker during a late afternoon training session on March 18 last year.
The court was told Carmont became “furious” after learning his son hadn’t been selected in the ‘B team’.
Bakker, a former Victorian cricketer and manager of Tour de France winner Cadel Evans, had earlier “encouraged” Carmont’s son to “keep playing the way he did”.
Carmont then confronted Bakker in an “aggressive manner”.
“How are you going … what did you f**king say to (my son),” Carmont said.
Carmont then launched an “unprovoked attack” on Bakker and punched the bewildered coach in the chest.
The court heard Bakker was carrying two bags of football training gear in both hands and was “unable to defend himself”.
Carmont’s hard punch caused Bakker to land on his back and hit his head on the ground.
The court was told Carmont “positioned” himself on top of Bakker and continued punching the coach while he was “defenceless on the ground”.
The furious assault took place at Bayside Oval in front of about 100 spectators including children and parents and Bakker’s young son.
Williamstown Junior Football Club vice president Michael Russell and assistant coach Matthew Inness, who both witnessed the attack, rushed in and pulled Carmont off Bakker.
Russell “escorted” Carmont from the field while Inness assisted Bakker.
Bakker reported the assault to police then sought medical treatment the next day.
Carmont, who was arrested on March 21, gave a “no comment” police interview.
The court heard Carmont suffered post-traumatic stress disorder after he and his family were victims of an aggravated burglary.
A psychologist opined the PTSD contributed to Carmont’s “out of character” offending.
Magistrate Pauline Spencer, who termed the offending “concerning and serious”, said this saved Carmont from a more severe punishment.
“In the context of sport … there’s really an obligation on all the adults who are all involved … to act appropriately,” Magistrate Spencer said.
“Not only for the good of the sport but also for the role models that adults are … for the young ones who are all there.
“In the normal course I probably wouldn’t grant diversion for a case like this because of that seriousness …
“However, (The PTSD) … is an extenuating circumstance … that coupled with … a lack of prior matters and a willingness to accept responsibility … this case, not withstanding the seriousness of what happened, is one that I think is suitable for diversion.”
The hearing was hit with a curve ball when the prosecutor said it was “anticipated” Bakker will launch civil action against Carmont.
Bakker quit coaching junior footy after the assault to focus on family and his sports management company Signature Sports.
The Geelong sports legend and long-time Cats supporter also boasts sports broadcaster Gerard Whateley as clients.
Bakker, who played 11 first-class matches for Victoria, also enjoyed a long career as Geelong Cricket Club captain.
Carmont, a former Toll Group heavy-hitter, made a publicised move to TM Insight – now known as TMX Global – as a Melbourne-based executive in June 2020.
Magistrate Spencer placed Carmont on a diversion program with conditions he write apology letters to Bakker, his son and the Williamstown Junior Football Club.
Carmont, who also copped to affray and recklessly cause injury charges, was ordered to complete an anger management course and pay $1000 to the court fund.
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