An aspiring paralympian has been given a second chance to chase his dreams after a drunken incident landed him in hot water on New Year’s Eve.
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Steven John Pike, 35, was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm earlier this year following a violent incident at the Temora Hotel.
A police report described Pike enjoying a celebratory drink with his victim when an argument broke out about 11pm.
“The accused begun to punch the victim in the head and face repeatedly,” the report read.
“This had caused the victim’s nose to bleed and a cut to his lip, which also bled.”
In Wagga’s Local Court on Monday, magistrate Erin Kennedy sentenced Pike to seven months’ jail to be served by way of an intensive corrections order in the community.
The court heard that Pike was sober for 12 months before the incident, and has since enrolled himself in an Alcoholics Anonymous course.
Ms Kennedy urged Pike to ditch the drink and focus on his athletic dreams.
“I am of the view that it’s reached the level of a custodial sentence,” Ms Kennedy said.
“No more violence – and you know that, as long as you stay away from alcohol, you’ll have no problems and you’ll have a bright future.”
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