A Magistrate has slammed the term "coward's punch" to describe an assault that has left a central west teenager fighting for his life. 
 
Apprentice plumber Thomas Brown, 19, suffered multiple fractures to his skull and remains in an induced coma after he was allegedly punched once in the head at a house party in Orange at the weekend.

Police yesterday told Wellington Local Court the attack on Mr Brown was "another example of a one-punch assault".

But magistrate Terry Lucas dismissed a comparison being made with recent king-hit attacks.

"Not in my court, it isn't ... I'm dealing with a charge of grievous bodily harm," Mr Lucas said.

"This is not a king punch, a one punch, a coward punch. I'm dealing with this case on its facts ... which are yet to be proven," he said.

Accused attacker Karl Sibley, 21, was granted conditional bail despite Mr Lucas noting the "absolute seriousness" of the charge he is facing, and the likelihood of him spending time in jail if found guilty.


The court heard Sibley, a disability support pensioner, had gone to Saturday night's party and "flicked a number of people in the genitalia", including Mr Brown.

Police allege about 11.30pm Mr Brown was asked to leave the party, and was followed outside by Sibley who then allegedly struck Mr Brown once to the left side of his face, with a closed fist.

The court was read a letter of apology Sibley wrote to Mr Brown's family while sitting in a police cell the night after the alleged attack.

"I do not remember what happened last night, but I know I hurt your son ... I feel sick that I could hurt a person like that," wrote Sibley, who will face Bathurst Local Court on February 13.

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell said Mr Lucas' comments showed how members of the judiciary were out of touch with the community.

"Judges and magistrates need to reflect community concerns and send a message about these serious drug and alcohol related offences," he said.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/magistrate-terry-lucas-lashes-out-at-c...

You're 110% right on that, Barry. I have to wonder if this Magistrate is a Labor appointee...

I was sworn in as a magistrate in May 2000 where I was appointed to Burwood Local Court, In 2001 I became a Children’s Court Magistrate at Campbelltown for approximately twelve months.  In 2002 I transferred to Broken Hill where I spent the next five years until returning to Sydney in 2007.  I then took up an appointment as a Licensing Magistrate dealing with Hotels and Registered Club matters.  I was appointed to Orange in January 2009.

- Extract from an interview with Magistrate Terry Lucas.

Appointed in 2000, when the very estimable Bob Carr was premier...

Actually, it simply sounds like the 'Beak' is refusing to buy into
the media-generated hysteria this topic generates, and will be
dealing with the case on its merits.

This being the case, I say, 'Good on him'.

The Heartless Felon wrote on Jan 29^th, 2014 at 8:21am:


There may well be, but the hysteria has no place in a Court Room.  The Magistrate was 100% correct.  His is not a Court of Popular Opinion.  He is there to administer the Law, not the Premier's politics.