A British man was charged with assault for an incident that saw Australian Commonwealth games Rugby captain taken to hospital with a head injury.
22-year-old suspect, who has not been named, allegedly Paul James Stannard with a single blow during the “unprovoked” attack on Sydney kebab shop in the early hours of Friday morning.
Player, 35, hit his head on the pavement and was taken to hospital where he allegedly was diagnosed with a skull fracture.
Described as in stable condition, the injury has thrown his participation in the nearest matches in doubt.
James Stannard.
The alleged attacker Stannard tried to escape from the scene after the incident, but was detained by witnesses until police arrived.
According to local reports, Stannard was out to dinner with teammates ahead of the Gold coast games in five days.
The participants were among the bystanders to detain the alleged assailant.
Inspector Steven Egbers, New South Wales police, told the “Sydney morning Herald”: “two men talked to each other seemingly pleasant conversation, and then one of the men hit another man in the head, causing him to fall to the ground, and he hit his head into the sidewalk.
“When he fell to the ground, he did some damage on the side of the head, and the perp fled.”
According Rugby.com.AU coach Andy friend and Stannard for team Lewis Holland and Ben O’donnell grabbed the alleged attacker.
The group is said to have been at a farewell dinner for friends who are expected to retire after the game before heading to the hotel bar COOGEE Bay.
According to police, the incident occurred at about 3.10 am near a kebab shop in COOGEE, a coastal suburb of Sydney, when he was “punched in the head in an alleged unprovoked attack”.
Stannard was taken to the hospital of St. Vincent, in the heart of the city where it is understood as “in stable condition with head injuries”.
“This 22-year-old Briton was taken to Maroubra police station and charged with assault occasioning bodily harm,” power said.
The British had already scored on “hard” terms, until the appearance in Waverley local court on April 19, police said.
Rugby Australia stated that it was “aware of the incident that led to the hospitalization of the Australian men’s sevens player James Stannard in Sydney the night”.
“Rugby Australia is working with nsw police to investigate the matter and will provide further updates later today.”
Stannard was made captain of Australia’s Commonwealth games side in early March, after captain Lewis Holland is out with hamstring injury.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
