'Loophole' sees Tiger dodge prisonDAN MOSS
August 10th, 2010RICHMOND footballer Troy Taylor was yesterday spared a jail sentence over a serious assault in Alice Springs on New Year's Eve.
Magistrate David Bamber sentenced Taylor, 18, to two weeks in prison but suspended the sentence for two years after he pleaded guilty yesterday.
Mr Bamber told the Alice Springs Magistrates Court he didn't want to be the person to cut Taylor's talented career short.
The former NT Thunder junior was charged over the assault just weeks after being picked up by Richmond in the 2009 AFL draft.
Taylor's defence Michael Tovey QC said his client had the support of the Tigers and was working through alcohol and anger issues.
Under Northern Territory law anyone convicted of a serious assault must serve time in custody.
But a loophole in the law allowed Mr Bamber to let Taylor walk free at the rising of the court yesterday afternoon.
The prosecution, led by Steve Robson, charged Taylor with two counts of aggravated assault, and dropped three charges of unlawfully damaging property, engaging in violent conduct and aggravated assault.
The court heard Taylor went with friends to a New Year's Eve street party on Campbell St, Alice Springs, hosted by Heather Parkinson. The court heard about 150 people were at the party, not all of them invited.
After the party appeared to get out of hand, Ms Parkinson asked Taylor and others who were not invited to leave.
The court heard Taylor said: "Who do you think you are, you don't own Campbell St."
She reportedly replied: "I know I don't own Campbell St but this is my party and I don't even know who you are. I'm nearly 50. Why would you want to come to a 50-year-old's party?"
After Taylor refused to leave, Ms Parkinson's stepson Barry Parkinson approached Taylor.
The court heard Taylor slapped Mr Parkinson hard enough "to gain his attention." Mr Parkinson then grabbed him by the collar and pushed him outside.
The court heard Taylor hit Mr Parkinson twice to the jaw and mouth, loosening his front teeth.
Another man, Brian Thompson, then approached Taylor.
The court heard Taylor punched him to the ground leaving him unconscious.
Taylor then left the party, but went to the Alice Springs Police Station on January 9 to make a statement where he admitted the assaults and said he thought he was being attacked.
Mr Tovey submitted references for Taylor which Mr Bamber said were impressive and honest.
Taylor has played two senior games for the Tigers this year.
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/08/10/170891_ntnews.html
Richmond footballer Troy Taylor, left, leaves court yesterday with, from left, Lauren Cooper, Richmond Football Club welfare manager, his brother Corey and mother Tania Dudgeon. Picture: JUSTIN BRIERTY
