Drunk, unpredictable and violent.

The 24-year-old builder, from Uranquinty, was walking along the main street with two other men about 12.40am on December 20 when they came across three other men.

According to police facts tendered to Wagga Local Court on Monday, Price said to his companions: “No, I wanna smash this (expletive deleted).”

Despite one of his companions holding him back and trying to keep him calm, and Price’s target holding up his hands and saying “calm down and back away” Price walked up to his victim and punched him in the face.

The man fell to the ground, luckily landing on his hands and knees as the felt the pain of the blow and tasted blood in his mouth.

Price’s companions managed to pull him away, and he walked away while his victim telephoned triple-0, gave a detailed description to the operator and then went to the police station.

Police spotted Price shortly after the assault and took his details for a later formal interview, during which he said he was highly intoxicated at the time of the incident and did not remember a great deal, although he did recollect having an argument in Baylis Street.

Price on Monday represented himself in court.

Magistrate Erin Kennedy said street violence was a “huge issue” and she needed to consider specific deterrence for Price as well as general deterrence for the wider community.

“What would gave happened if he had hit his head?” Ms Kennedy asked Price.

“He would have ended up in hospital, and you would have ended up in jail.”

Price told the magistrate he did not have a strong memory of the incident or witnesses to back him up and say the assault did not happen.

He said he knew two men he was with from his school days, but did not remember their names and did not have their telephone numbers.

“This bloke (the victim) had three witnesses,” Price said.

Price pleaded guilty to common assault.

So concerned was Ms Kennedy about the seriousness of the incident she requested a pre-sentence report, which was prepared by a Community Corrections officer.

The officer found Price was found suitable for community service and Ms Kennedy ordered him to serve 80 hours.