Husband of Victoria’s human rights commissioner admits to drunken barman assault
THE husband of Victoria’s human rights commissioner has admitted a violent drunken assault on a barman on AFL Grand Final day.
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THE husband of Victoria’s human rights commissioner has admitted a violent drunken assault on a barman on AFL Grand Final day.
But Jack Panton could avoid any punishment.
Panton, 42, supported by his wife Kristen Hilton, the state’s Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner, at Moorabbin Magistrates Court, was given a chance to avoid a criminal record on a six-month diversion program.
The former property development executive, who was recently appointed chief executive of homeless service provider Unison, must be of good behaviour and make a $1000 donation to the Blue Ribbon Foundation.
He was also ordered to write an apology letter to the victim, and another letter of gratitude to the police for allowing him to be placed on a diversion.
A police summary, released to the Herald Sun by the court, revealed how he put both his hands around the barman’s throat when refused service at the Black Rock Bowling and Tennis Club at 7.30pm on September 30.
He was being “intoxicated, loud, obnoxious” and bouncing a football on the bar when the victim refused to serve him more alcohol.
“The accused became belligerent and abusive, demanding more alcohol before being told to leave,” the police summary read.
When other patrons stepped in and told him to stop swearing and calm down, Panton grabbed one man by the shirt.
The barman intervened and again asked him to leave, before being assaulted.
Panton finally left the premises, only to return 10 minutes later to hurl further abuse at the patrons from the doorway.
He later told police he had drank “about five pints” of beer and denied assaulting the barman.
But “his version of events repeatedly changed and his recollection of the event appeared patchy and sporadic”, police said.
Magistrate Charles Tan told Panton it was hard to reconcile his behaviour that night with the man family and friends had described in character references.
“It scared a lot of people there,” Mr Tan said.
Panton was charged with one count of unlawful assault and fail to leave a licensed premises when requested.
But the charges would be dropped, Mr Tan said, if he completes the diversion without a hitch.
Ms Hilton was not impressed at the media presence in her husband’s case, approaching them saying: “You are making this much more distressing than it should be.”
She supported him all day as they waited for his case to be called.
But once it was called into a courtroom just after 3pm she was nowhere in sight.
Outside court, Panton dashed to a waiting car, failing to answer media questions or offer an apology to his victim.
He will return to court on February 22 for a judicial review.