A Central Coast first grade rugby league player will walk from jail after appealing his sentence over a savage attack at a Gosford music venue. Here’s what happened.
Jed Silvester appeared via audio visual link from custody at Gosford District Court on Monday with the court hearing he had been assessed as “suitable” to serve the remainder of his sentence in home detention.
Silvester, of Ettalong Beach, was sentenced to 12 months full time imprisonment with a non-parole period of six months at Gosford Local Court in December.
The 22-year-old, who played first grade with the Woy Woy Roosters last season, pleaded guilty to one charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm after viciously bashing a man in the bathroom of Drifters Wharf on February 12, 2022.
The attack came shortly after Silvester completed an Intensive Corrections Order (ICO) sentence for a charge of affray relating to a cowardly attack on a man outside the Bayview Hotel a Woy Woy in 2020.
Jed Silvester will walk from jail and serve the remainder of his sentence through an ICO.
Judge Tanya Bright upheld the appeal with Silvester sentenced to an ICO to start from Monday and expire in November 2023.
Silvester, whose pregnant partner and family were in the courtroom, looked happy and relieved after being told he would be released.
Conditions of the ICO, which is the equivalent of a jail sentence served in the community, are to be on home detention until the end of May, complete 200 hours of community service, abstain from alcohol and seek medical help for mental health issues.
During his appeal hearing last month, the power engineer gave evidence telling the court “I’m not a violent offender” however admitted he was seeking justice for a friend when he assaulted the man at Drifters Wharf.
The assault happened at Drifters Wharf in Gosford. Picture: Facebook
“That night I drank to the extent and my emotions got the better of me,” he said.
“I want to set a good role model for my kid and everyone around me really.”
An agreed set of facts tendered to the court stated that when the victim entered the bathroom, Silvester said “you’re a dead c**t, I will kill you” before the victim said “leave me alone”.
Silvester punched the victim’s face two to three times before throwing him to the ground and punching him to his body and head.
The victim was taken to Gosford Hospital for injuries which included a swollen eye, 2-3cm cut above his eye, bruised ribs and elbow and a lump to the right side of his head.
Judge Bright said the updated sentence addressed the seriousness of the offence, appropriate punishment and Silvester’s good prospects of rehabilitation.
She confirmed his conviction for the charge, with his ICO to expire on November 30, 2023.
