Cama Sentenced to Gaol

Ilipsa Cama, who viciously attacked Ryan Holman, during a football game on May 19, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment today, with a non-parole period of 12 months.

Breaking: Cama Released on Bail.

Before Magistrate Hugh Donnelly passed down sentencing the prosecution submitted copies of Facebook posts highlighting the level of community outrage following the attack.

Magistrate Hugh Donnelly described the assault on Holman as “ferocious”:

“The victim was felled by the defendant with a punch to the mouth. The victim called the defendant a “black dog” which must be accepted as a racial slur. The defendant was clearly insulted and provoked. He reacted in a totally unacceptable way by repeatedly punching the victim in the face whilst the victim was on the ground. The assault rendered the victim unconscious and he lay unconscious for three to four minutes…given the nature of the injuries the attack can only be described as ferocious. It was halted by players. The offence was committed in a public space in plain sight of local members of the community and supporters of both sides. It would have been shocking to witness.”

The victim, Ryan Holman, in his statement to police totally refuted that he made any racial slurs to his attacker.

The Magistrate said any sentence must “make the defendant accountable and recognise the harm done to the victim and community,” and saw no alternative to a term of 2 years imprisonment, with a 25 percent reduction due to Cama’s ealry plea of guilty, no previous criminal history and of otherwise good character.

He will be eligible for parole in 12 months.

Related stories:

• Cama Appears in Muswellbrook Court – August 20, 2019.
• Cama Pled Guilty to Vicious Assault – July 4, 2019.
• Arrest Made Following Football Incident – June 12, 2019.
• Call for Calm Following Barbaric Attack – May 24, 2019.