Melbourne big shot Marcus Carmont charged with assaulting Williamstown coach Jason Bakker

A businessman allegedly bashed a well-known Victorian sporting identity at a packed junior footy training session in front of kids.

Marcus Carmont was charged with assault and intentionally cause injury. It's alleged he attacked ex Williamstown junior footy coach Jason Bakker. Facebook.

A leading Melbourne business man who allegedly bashed a junior footy coach at training will claim he acted in self-defence.

Marcus Carmont, 43, fronted Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with two counts of assault and intentionally cause injury.

It’s alleged Carmont bashed former Williamstown Juniors Football Club volunteer coach Jason Bakker, a former Victorian cricketer and manager of Tour de France winner Cadel Evans, after a training session on March 18 last year.

Carmont, of Williamstown, allegedly assaulted Bakker after his son was not selected in a higher-graded team.

It’s understood Williamstown had about 100 under 12s players split into four teams at the start of last season.

According to sources present at the ground, the alleged incident occurred in front of coaches, parents and “60 or 70” kids including one of Bakker’s sons.

The Williamstown under 14s and Under 16s sides were training on the ground during the alleged assault.

Bakker, a Geelong identity and leading sports manager, sought medical treatment after allegedly suffering internal injuries.

Sam Andrianakis, for Carmont, submitted at Tuesday’s hearing the defence will seek to call two expert witnesses to give evidence on Bakker’s alleged injuries.

Cadel Evans and Jason Bakker.

Mr Andrianakis said the two experts had treated Bakker following the alleged assault.

“My understanding is Mr Bakker had pre-existing injuries so there’s an issue as to how the injury was inflicted first of all but second of all whether … there is an actual injury …,” Mr Andrianakis said.

“The photos that I have been provided — I have requested clear colour copies — don’t disclose any obvious injuries … (the medical evidence) seems to disclose there was previous injuries and that’s why I need the two expert witnesses …

“The issues will be, really, credibility issues in relation to Mr Bakker and it’s a factual dispute.”

The police prosecutor told the court Carmont and Bakker had been known to each other and the defence would be “raising” self-defence into the matter.

“No doubt Mr Andrianakis has taken Mr Carmont through the tests with respect to self-defence and how sometimes it can go beyond that,” Magistrate Ross Falla said.

Magistrate Falla had just resumed the proceeding after sensationally having a woman sitting in the public gallery removed from the courtroom.

Magistrate Falla asked police to check the woman’s phone after raising concerns the proceeding had possibly been recorded.

At a previous hearing, Tony Hannebery, who had represented Carmont, interjected on behalf of his client after the prosecution alleged the assault occurred in front of “about 100 fans” during a match.

“That is so wrong … anyway …,” Mr Hannebery said.

The prosecution also alleged two “managers” had to pull Carmont off Bakker.

“And according to their (coaches) statements, your honour, without seeing what went on,” Mr Hannebery said.

A fired up Mr Hannebery told the court he would’ve settled the matter but expressed displeasure after he received six “witness” statements just before Wednesday’s hearing.

“My client is alleged to have reacted to his son being upset by the victim and has remonstrated with the victim,” Mr Hannebery said.

“The statements that are now provided are a way of supporting the fact the kid, the child, the son of my client should not have been upset by what Bakker said to him … these are people who are witnesses to what Mr Bakker says he said to my client’s son.”

Bakker quit coaching junior footy after the alleged 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.

Carmont, who was also charged with recklessly cause injury, will face court at a later date.

[e-mail]

Originally published as Melbourne big shot Marcus Carmont charged with assaulting Williamstown coach Jason Bakker