AFL star, assault victim settle civil case the day after graphic footage aired in court

Update: Richmond premiership player Noah Balta has settled a civil case with assault victim Thomas Washbrook a day after a NSW court was shown CCTV footage of his sickening attack.

Washbrook, 27, was hospitalised with a head injury after being knocked to the ground and repeatedly punched by Balta outside Mulwala Water Ski Club on the NSW-Victorian border just after midnight on December 30.

The victim’s lawyer, John Suta, confirmed to this masthead that a financial settlement was reached on Friday, but said details were confidential.

Yarrawonga man Washbrook took time off work from his Wangaratta council job after the unprovoked attack.

Suta said Washbrook sued the footballer for pain and suffering (both physical and mental), loss of enjoyment of life, medical expenses and aggravated damages.

Suta said that since the attack Balta had been genuinely remorseful, keen to resolve the issue, and he commended the footballer for taking responsibilities for his actions.

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Richmond do not intend to take any further action against Balta, despite a court being told that it was sheer luck that saved Washbrook from death during the assault by the Tigers star.

A senior Richmond official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity as the case is ongoing, said the club’s view is that Balta has already been suspended for six matches – two of them in the pre-season – with the club’s sanction also signed off by the AFL.

Balta, 25, pleaded guilty to the assault in Mulwala in the NSW Riverina on December 30 that Washbrook in hospital with a head injury.

Washbrook, who was punched repeatedly and thrown, could have been killed, prosecutor Jason Tozer told the Corowa Local Court on Thursday.

“Your honour can see he becomes fully airborne and travels a metre or a metre-and-a-half,” Tozer said.

“It is only sheer luck that his head did not make contact with that concrete.”

Richmond’s Noah Balta.Credit: AFL Photos

Balta pleaded guilty to a single count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, which in NSW attracts a maximum penalty of five years in jail.

Balta’s defence admitted the incident was serious but argued the assault was at the higher end of a mid-level offence.

The prosecution argued the attack met the threshold of a high-level offence.

Character references for the AFL star described Balta as “a kind, caring, gentle giant,” defence lawyer Belinda Franjic said.

“It’s quite clear this offence is completely and utterly out of character for Mr Balta,” she told the court.

Balta had admitted drinking a significant amount of alcohol on the day of the assault and had reacted to seeing his younger brother in a confrontation, the court was told.

The player had shown genuine remorse for his actions and had sought professional help, including courses, to address the behaviour that led to the incident, Franjic said.

The AFL star had quickly admitted the assault and pleaded guilty, although he initially told police he had only punched Washbrook three or four times.

“That might not have been completely accurate,” his barrister said.

The prosecution slammed the ban from Richmond. Balta could return to the Tigers’ line-up in time for Gather Round (round five).

“The action taken by the club is so minimal as to be irrelevant,” Tozer said. “The court must send a message to the community that this type of conduct is unacceptable no matter who you are.”

Under the terms of his suspension by the Tigers, Balta also has to complete an education program and undertake counselling.

In a statement issued by the club soon after the charge became public, the Tigers said: “Noah deeply regrets being involved in the incident. He has assisted NSW police in their investigation and is keen to have the matter concluded as soon as possible.

“After thorough consideration – which included discussions with the player leadership – we arrived at a decision that reflects the seriousness of the incident and at the same time will help Noah address this behaviour.”

Balta last year signed a massive seven-year contract extension tying him to Richmond until the end of 2032.

He is due to be sentenced on April 22.

With Adrian Black, AAP

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