Richmond player Noah Balta has been spared jail over an unprovoked attack in a parking lot, sentenced to 18 months of a curfew that will rule him out of his team's Anzac eve clash.

Albury

Noah Balta, a Richmond Premiership defender, has been sentenced following an unprovoked attack on Thomas Washbrook. The incident occurred in the early hours one day in December when an intoxicated Balta misinterpreted Washbrook's actions as a threat. Balta then assaulted Washbrook, who subsequently required medical attention for a forehead cut and body grazes. 

In response to the assault, Balta has abstained from alcohol and participated in an anger management course. He also compensated the victim with a payment of $45,000. The court handed Balta an 18-month community corrections order, along with a $3,000 fine and a nightly curfew lasting three months, which restricts him from leaving home between 10pm and 6am. 

Balta's defense sought an exemption from these curfew terms for interstate and night matches, but the magistrate rejected this, emphasizing the punishment's importance. Balta's apology highlighted his understanding of the broader lesson that violence is not a solution. The AFL and Richmond will discuss the sentence with Matt Cronin, a One Punch campaigner, who expressed dissatisfaction with the leniency of the penalty.



Richmond defender Noah Balta sentenced for assault

Bursting through the waiting pack, Noah Bolter was in no mood to stop and explain his actions. If you're playing on Thursday, why aren't you saying anything to Noah? The 25-year-old spared jail time for an unprovoked attack on Thomas Washbrook in the early hours of December 30 last year. The court heard Bolter was intoxicated before he arrived at the Mulwala Ski Club. He saw Washbrook speaking with his brother, attempting to prevent a fight, but Bolter misinterpreted and lashed out at the victim, landing at least five punches and sending him to the concrete. Washbrook was taken to hospital with a 3cm cut on his forehead and grazes across his body. Since the incident, Bolter has abstained from alcohol and undertaken an anger management course. He has also paid the victim $45,000 in compensation. The Richmond Premiership defender was slapped with an 18-month community corrections order, a $3,000 fine and a three-month curfew, where he'll need to remain at home from 10pm to 6am. One Punch campaigner Matt Cronin will meet with the AFL and Richmond next week. He says the sentence is far too lenient. He's going to be used as an example in our education, I can tell you that. The magistrate said Bolter has shown genuine remorse and is not likely to re-offend. Bolter's defence lawyer tried to argue for an exemption to the curfew, so he could play matches interstate and at night, but the magistrate denied that request, saying it's part of his punishment. He won't play in Thursday's Anzac Day Eve clash with Melbourne, apologising in a statement late this afternoon. I have let a lot of people down and the lesson has been learned that violence is never the answer. Sam Mills for 10 News First.

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