Mark Harrison launches appeal against sentence for punching a player during an amateur football grand final
A footy player jailed for a behind the ball punch which shattered his opponent’s jaw will argue the sentencing judge did not understand the “practical reality” of on-field behaviour.
Mitch Mott
Mark Harrison was jailed for this punch during the Christies Beach FC v Flagstaff Hill in the 2018 B-Grade Southern Football League grand final.
A violent offender serving almost two years in prison for punching a fellow football player behind the play has launched an appeal against his sentence.
Mark Thomas Alan Harrison, 34, claims that the one year and 10 month sentence for a punch which shattered the victim’s jaw did not reflect the “practical reality” of what happens on the football field.
On Thursday he was refused bail in the Supreme Court on Friday while his appeal is pending.
Justice Sophie David heard the Director of Public Prosecutions would not be conceding that Harrison’s sentence was too severe and the appeal would be going before the full Court of Appeal in April
Harrison was jailed last month for one year and 10 months with a non-parole period of 11 months for intentionally causing harm to another player in September 22, 2018.
Harrison was playing for the Christies Beach Football Club in the Southern Football League B-Grade grand final against Flagstaff Hill.
Following a scuffle between the victim and another player Harrison punched the player from behind.
During sentencing in February Judge Paul Muscat said the punch had shattered the victim’s jaw, pushing his lower teeth back into his mouth and requiring extensive surgery to repair.
The victim had been the lead goalkicker in the league that season and has returned to playing, though he said he was not as confident as he had been.
Flagstaff Hill went on to win the grand final with a come-from-behind victory.
However, the victim was in the emergency room at the Flinders Medical Centre as his teammates celebrated.
Harrison pleaded guilty to the charge just before going to trial.
Judge Muscat said Harrison had previously served time in custody in 2011, when he was 21, for offences of violence.
On Thursday, Lucy Boord SC, prosecuting, said the appeal had been expedited and would be heard in April.
“This is not one of those cases where the appellant would serve the majority of his sentence before the appeal is heard,” she said.
Richard Coates, for Harrison, said the crux of the appeal would be that Judge Muscat placed too much weight on his client’s criminal history and should have let him serve the sentence on home detention bail.
“Ultimately the sentence imposed didn’t reflect the practical reality of what happens on the football field during an amateur grand final,” he said.
I wonder if Mr Coates would say that if it was his son that got hit.
Coward punch when the player wasn't looking. I'd say he got off lightly
dedja: Dunno, I’m just an idiot.
no its not me.....
