Brothers in court over mass brawl at WA country footy match

[ad_1] An off-duty police officer was repeatedly punched and a soccer membership president choked throughout a wild post-match brawl between opposing gamers and spectators, a West Australian court docket has heard.

Braydon Wooden, 29, and his youthful brother, Rhys, 23, are every charged with aggravated assault inflicting bodily hurt after the alleged incident in Esperance, 700km south-east of Perth, on June 22 final 12 months.

The Esperance Bulldogs gamers have admitted they have been concerned in a scuffle with members of opposing membership Ports, however denied punching and injuring off-duty police officer Christopher Home, the court docket heard.

Nonetheless, Mr Home insisted he was set upon and punched repeatedly by the brothers.

Rhys Wooden (left) denied punching Christopher Home. ( ABC Information )

The court docket heard kids witnessed the automobile park brawl, which concerned dozens of gamers and supporters of the opposing golf equipment.

<h2 class="Typography_base__sj2RP Heading_heading__VGa5B future_heading__Gcudw Heading_default__Z3p_p Typography_sizeMobile20__NUDn4 Typography_sizeDesktop32__LR_G6 Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_lineHeightDesktop40__BuoRf Typography_marginBottomMobileSmall__6wx7m Typography_marginBottomDesktopSmall__CboX4 Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx Typography_normalise__u5o1s" data-component="Heading">'Spotfires broke out' In his proof, Mr Home stated on-field rigidity between one in all his Ports teammates, Harley Brown, and Braydon Wooden continued after the ultimate siren.

Mr Home stated that, as he escorted Mr Brown to his car, they have been approached by fired-up Bulldogs gamers.

"Braydon was main the pack," he stated.

"He was very erratic ... the best way he was speeding in the direction of us." Mr Home informed the court docket he stepped ahead and signalled for the opposition gamers to return to their change rooms.

Nonetheless, he alleged, Braydon Wooden then punched him within the face and Rhys Wooden "got here excessive" with one other punch.

Mr Home stated he was dragged to the bottom and struck repeatedly because the state of affairs escalated.

He stated it wasn't lengthy earlier than "spotfires broke out all through the automobile park".

The incident occurred at Ports Soccer Membership in Esperance. ( ABC Information )

Written statements have been offered by a number of witnesses, together with Ports vice-president David Rowe, who stated as much as 30 individuals have been concerned within the altercation.

"Braydon and Rhys have been undoubtedly the primary aggressors," he stated.

Ports president Adam Oldfield stated he was "put in a chokehold" by a Bulldogs supporter earlier than ordering anybody affiliated with the visiting facet to go away the bottom.

One other witness stated they have been left "shaken" and that incidents of this nature "should not occur after a soccer sport".

Mr Home stated he was left dizzy and nursing a sore neck and went to hospital that night time.

The court docket was additionally proven photos of a wound to his head.

<h2 class="Typography_base__sj2RP Heading_heading__VGa5B future_heading__Gcudw Heading_default__Z3p_p Typography_sizeMobile20__NUDn4 Typography_sizeDesktop32__LR_G6 Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_lineHeightDesktop40__BuoRf Typography_marginBottomMobileSmall__6wx7m Typography_marginBottomDesktopSmall__CboX4 Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx Typography_normalise__u5o1s" data-component="Heading">CCTV and cellular footage offered Neither of the Wooden brothers opted to offer proof in the course of the two-day trial.