Cameron Williams: How ex-Nine sports anchor’s bedroom chat led to him being charged with assault

Former TV sportscaster Cameron Williams pushed his partner when he was impaired by alcohol and prescription drugs during an argument about their relationship, a court heard.

The 59-year-old man appeared in Singleton Local Court on Friday after initially pleading not guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm and common battery.

The court heard that the prosecutor dropped the more serious charge of assault causing actual bodily harm at the 11th hour after successful negotiations Thursday night.

The TV host’s lawyer, Paul McGirr, told the court that his client pleaded guilty to the remaining assault charge but asked that it be dismissed on mental health grounds.

The court heard that Williams assaulted his wife Natasha Russo at a property on Putty Road in Howes Valley between 8:30 a.m. and shortly after midnight on November 19 last year.

Williams and ex-partner Natasha Russo shared four to six bottles of wine with friends before retiring to their bedroom to discuss the end of their marriage.

The couple had been working on their rustic 42-acre Hunter Valley property with friends before the group shared four to six bottles of wine in the evening, according to court documents.

Judge Kevin Hockey noted that the friends were “mildly alcohol-impaired” that night.

Williams and Russo, who had been separated for about two months according to court documents, retired to their bedroom around 8:30 p.m. and began talking about the dissolution of their 16-year relationship.

The agreed facts reveal that the conversation about their future escalated into a “strong verbal argument” during which Mr. Williams laid hands on his partner.

The court heard that the former Channel 9 stalwart grabbed Ms Russo in the upper arms and pushed her back. Then he kicked him out, according to the facts.

“This is a very unfortunate incident,” McGirr acknowledged.

He described the altercation as “two adults arguing” about the possibility of reconciliation.

“There’s no hitting, hitting or punching,” Magistrate Hockey agreed.

The court heard that Mr. Williams’ use of alcohol and prescription drugs contributed to the incident.

Williams had been diagnosed with depression and generalized anxiety disorder before the incident, the court was told.

He was undergoing treatment for his mental health problems in March of last year when he resigned from his role as a sports presenter for Channel 9.

Magistrate Hockey accepted that Mr Williams had been struggling with his mental health for over a year, which acted to reduce his moral culpability.

He called the assault an “impulsive reaction.”

The court heard that Mr. Williams has been struggling with his mental health for over a year.

The magistrate dismissed the assault charge on the grounds that Mr. Williams was mentally unwell at the time.

The court heard that Mr. Williams will be released to the care of his psychologist.

You will be required to live in Sydney and abide by the conditions of a one year apprehended violence order for the protection of Ms Russo.

“Domestic violence is a scourge to our community,” the magistrate told the court.

“It is an offense for which the court must send a strong message to the community and offenders that this will not be tolerated.”

The legal battle comes less than a year after Williams announced his surprise resignation from Channel 9 after 16 years with the station.

At the time, the 59-year-old explained that he was retiring from work to focus on his health and family.

He made no comment as he walked impassively off the court.