Cama Appears in Muswellbrook Court

Ilipsa Cama appeared in Muswellbrook Local Court for sentencing yesterday, following a vicious on field attack on Ryan Holman during a football game on May 19.

Magistrate Hugh Donnelly noted it was a very serious offence to come before the local court and after hearing submissions from the defence and prosecution, said he would adjourn his sentencing decision until August 26, as he wanted to consider the matter carefully. 

The maximum penalty for the offence is 10 years in prison and the Magistrate noted a case where a man was gaoled for 9 months when he used his elbow in an assault.

Ben Hoffman, defence solicitor for Cama, said the 27 year old husband and father of three young children, was remorseful and apologises to the victim, Mr Holman and his family.

It was noted Cama had entered an early plea of guilty and cooperated fully with police, has no record of any prior convictions and is unlikely to reoffend.

The Police Prosecutor, Kate Hobson, argued the assault was at the high range of the offence, since it was at a sporting event “where the rules are laid out for everybody to play by and this goes fat outside what is expected in the game”, further they argued Mr Holman would have to deal with his injuries for the rest of his life and it “does not get more serious than that.”

The Prosecutor highlighted the “large outcry in the community” following the offence, noting it occurred in front of a crowd including many young children, who were shocked to be exposed to such violence.

The sentence will be handed down next week.

Related stories:

• 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.