A FORMER Denman Devils reserve grade player has successfully appealed against his 18-month jail sentence following a vicious on-field assault in the Upper Hunter earlier this year.
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Iliesa Makita Cama, 27, was originally found guilty of breaking the jaw of Murrurundi Mavericks forward Ryan Holman during a Group 21 encounter at Denman in May.
However, Cama appealed against the severity of the penalty.
And, in the Newcastle District Court on Monday, December 16, Judge Tim Gartelmann, SC, converted the punishment to an 18-month intensive corrections order.
He found that a "reprehensible" racial slur - according to an agreed statement of facts - and a punch to the side of the head amounted to "gross provocation".
Cama, though, could still have his VISA revoked and face deportation.
At Muswellbrook Local Court in August, police said the incident occurred in the final minutes of the game - and resulted in the Murrurundi representative being knocked unconscious.
While Cama was sent off - and later given a 13-week suspension from Group 21, Holman was conveyed to Muswellbrook District Hospital and later transferred to John Hunter in Newcastle for further treatment.
He remained there for a week where he underwent surgery for multiple fractures to his jaw.
