Man’s big move after fight with NRL journo
Written by admin on July 20, 2024
A man has asked police to withdraw the charges against him after he allegedly threw NRL journalist Paul Kent into a tree during a wild street brawl outside a pub.
Tamer Uzun, 35, has pleaded not guilty to affray in relation to the clash with the footy commentator outside Totti’s Rozelle on April 27.
Police allege the pair were involved in a heated verbal argument that turned physical on the footpath of Evans St.
Widely-shared video of the incident appears to show Mr Uzun throwing Mr Kent, 54, into a tree after the brawl spilled onto the street.
On Friday, Mr Uzun’s lawyer Rose Cetin told Sydney Downing Centre Local Court that she would be asking the police to dismiss the charges against her client.
“Representations to withdraw the charges have been sent,” she said.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Theo Tsavdaridis adjourned the matter until next month to allow parties to discuss the issue.
The court was told a “special prosecutor” had been appointed to handle the case.
Mr Uzun’s request for his charges to be dropped comes after Mr Kent pleaded guilty to affray and was sentenced over his role in the alleged brawl.
During his sentencing, the court heard the sports journalist had been drinking for 11 hours when he came across Mr Uzun, who had been dining at Totti’s.
Police allege Mr Uzun asked Mr Kent about a sports game before the conversation devolved into a fiery exchange of insults.
Video of the incident appears to show the pair exchanging blows as the fight moved from the footpath onto the road.
Mr Kent was handed a two-year good behaviour bond without conviction.
The court heard he sustained significant injuries, including six fractured ribs and a collapsed lung, after he crashed into a tree and landed upside down.
The 54-year-old was let go from roles at Fox Sports and The Daily Telegraph after the incident.
