Former TV sports activities presenter Cameron Williams pushed his accomplice when affected by alcohol and prescription medicine throughout an argument about their relationship, a court docket heard.
The 59-year-old appeared in Singleton Local Court on Friday after he initially pleaded not responsible to assault occasioning precise bodily hurt and customary assault.
The court docket heard the extra severe cost of assault occasioning precise bodily hurt was withdrawn by the prosecutor on the eleventh hour after profitable negotiations on Thursday evening.
The TV presenter’s lawyer Paul McGirr instructed the court docket his consumer pleaded responsible to the remaining assault cost however requested it’s dismissed on psychological well being grounds.
The court docket heard Mr Williams assaulted his spouse Natasha Russo at a property on Putty Road in Howes Valley between 8.30am and simply after midnight on November 19 final 12 months.
The pair had been engaged on their rustic 42-acre property within the Hunter Valley with associates earlier than the group drank 4 to 6 bottles of wine within the night, in keeping with court docket paperwork.
Magistrate Kevin Hockey famous the buddies had been “slightly affected by alcohol” that evening.
Mr Williams and Ms Russo, who had been separated for about two months in keeping with court docket paperwork, retired to their bed room round 8.30pm and started to debate the dissolution of their 16-year relationship.
The agreed information reveal the dialog about their future escalated right into a “loud verbal argument” throughout which Mr Williams laid his palms on his accomplice.
The court docket heard the previous Channel 9 stalwart grabbed Ms Russo on the higher arms and pushed her backwards. She then kicked him away, in keeping with the information.
“This is a very unfortunate incident,” Mr McGirr acknowledged.
He described the altercation as “two adults having a discussion” about the potential for reconciliation.
“There is no striking, no hitting and no punching,” Magistrate Hockey agreed.
The court docket heard Mr Williams’ consumption of alcohol and prescription medicine contributed to the incident.
Mr Williams had been recognized with melancholy and generalised anxiousness dysfunction earlier than the incident, the court docket was instructed.
The former sports activities presenter was present process remedy for his psychological well being circumstances in March final 12 months when he resigned from his position as a sports activities presenter for Channel 9.
Magistrate Hockey accepted Mr Williams had been struggling along with his psychological well being for greater than a 12 months which acted to scale back his ethical culpability.
He categorised the assault as an “impulsive reaction”.
The Justice of the Peace dismissed the assault cost on the grounds that Mr Williams was mentally unwell on the time.
The court docket heard Mr Williams can be launched into the care of his psychologist.
He can be required to reside in Sydney and abide by the circumstances of a year-long apprehended violence order for the safety of Ms Russo.
“Domestic violence is a scourge on our community,” the Justice of the Peace instructed the court docket.
“It is an offence for which the court needs to send a strong message to the community and offenders that this will not be tolerated.”
The authorized battle comes lower than a 12 months after Mr Williams introduced his shock resignation from Channel 9 after 16 years with the broadcaster.
At the time, the 59-year-old defined he was stepping again from work to concentrate on his well being and his household.
He didn’t make any remark as he left the court docket with a straight face.
Originally revealed as Former TV sports activities presenter Cameron Williams admits assaulting estranged spouse
