The primary charge of reckless wounding and the back-up charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm were withdrawn and dismissed after Cochrane pleaded guilty to common assault.

Agreed facts tendered to magistrate Megan Greenwood said Cochrane and the assault victim were at a gathering at a Bourke Street address on the evening of April 15. At one point in the night, the victim, who was unknown to Cochrane before that night, put down a bass guitar in front of Cochrane.

The facts said Cochrane perceived that the man had "thrust" the guitar in his direction and said in an intense tone "take this".

About 10.30pm, the two crossed paths again and, according to the agreed facts, Cochrane said to the other man words to the effect of: "Just the guy I wanted to see".

"The victim was walking towards the defendant (Cochrane). The defendant perceived that the victim raised his hand towards him. The defendant pushed the victim to the side and they both fell over," the facts said.

In his sentencing submission, police prosecutor Sergeant Andrew Pike described Cochrane's push as "an over-reaction to a perceived threat".

Cochrane's barrister, John Weir, described Cochrane's actions as a deflection and a push away.

Mr Weir asked for the common assault charge to be proven but dismissed under Section 10(1)(a) of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act, arguing his client was "a man who is not coming back to court".

But Ms Greenwood rejected the submission. She placed Cochrane on a two-year good behaviour bond, with no conviction.