Five people charged with affray in the aftermath of January's touch football brawl at Cootamundra Ex-Services Club were named in Cootamundra Local Court on Monday
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Tom Daniel Turner, 18, an apprentice carpenter of Young, pleaded guilty to affray but was not convicted by Magistrate Michael O'Brien.
Tom Turner was issued with a conditional release order, after his solicitor told the court that he had come to the defence of his brother in the brawl.
Aaron Byrne, 32, of Cootamundra, and Luke Turner, 24, of Koorawatha, pleaded not guilty, with their cases adjourned, while no pleas were entered for Jade Cowled, 28, of Wombat, and James Smithers, 20, of Young, also adjourned.
Magistrate Michael O'Brien described Tom Turner's behaviour during the brawl on 12 January as a disgrace, saying he had behaved like a brute, and warning him that the matter of affray would re-open if he re-offended.
The court was told that Tom Turner, who plays rugby union with the Young Yabbies, had been at a party at a private residence before going with a group to the Ex-Services Club to meet friends in the touch football crowd.
When a fracas occurred, he become involved because he saw his brother was receiving punches.
Mr O'Brien said that while it was not a plea of self defence, Tom Turner appeared to have acted in response to his brother being struck and he would not convict him, having regard to his age, lack of criminal history, early guilty plea, character references and remorse.
"This is not your finest hour," Mr O'Brien said to Tom Turner.
"You can imagine how people felt who were there seeking to have a positive experience and enjoying the camaraderie of friends, to have their evening finished off with a with a brawl by young men who thought it was smart and brave to demonstrate their pugilistic skills in a public forum."
When Tom Turner said he regretted the consequences of his actions, Mr O'Brien said he should regret more than getting into trouble.
"Have you gained an insight into your behaviour?", he asked. "It's disappointing everyone by not behaving like a gentleman.
"Just imagine in ten years from now if you'd taken your wife and children to the club and encountered a crowd behaving in an animalistic fashion - what would you think of them?"
"I would think they're being disgusting," Tom Turner replied.
