Travis Raymond Bowling, who bashed footy great Ron Barassi, set to have sentence cut
THE man who bashed footy great Ron Barassi in a New Year's Day attack is set to have his sentence reduced.
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THE man who bashed footy great Ron Barassi is set to have his sentence reduced.
Travis Raymond Bowling, 31, was sentenced to six years in jail with a minimum of four for his drug-fuelled attacks on Barassi and Tessa Green early on New Year's Day in 2009.
Barassi was out with his wife in Fitzroy St, St Kilda, when he saw Bowling attacking Ms Green and leapt to her aid.
A jury found Bowling guilty of two counts of intentionally causing serious injury in the County Court.
But prosecutors have conceded that an aspect of the trial judge's directions to the jury may have led them to believe that Barassi's perceived memory loss was a serious injury that had been caused by Bowling.
Fran Dalziel, representing the Director of Public Prosecutions, told the Court of Appeal today that it was conceded there had been an error which constituted a miscarriage of justice.
Bowling has appealed against his conviction of intentionally causing serious injury to Barassi.
The Court of Appeal has been asked to re-sentence Bowling for the lesser charge of intentionally causing injury to the Melbourne football club legend.
Dermot Dann, representing Bowling, asked for a sentence which would see Bowling eligible for release immediately or soon.
Bowling, of St Kilda, has served 21 months so far.
But Ms Dalziel said the sentence should be about two years.
She said this would make a combined sentence for the attacks on Barassi and Ms Green of about 4.5 years with a non-parole period of 2.5 to three years.
Court of Appeal Justice Robert Redlich said Bowling's sentence would be "somewhat less than that announced by the prosecutor".
The Court of Appeal has reserved its decision to a date to be fixed.
Bowling had pleaded not guilty in his trial, claiming police had the wrong man.
shelley.hadfield@news.com.au
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