Footy TV host Paul Kent was caught on video drinking a shocking number of beers before alleged fight outside a pub, court hears
- Tamer Uzun, 35, is accused of arguing over an alleged fight
- Accused of clashing with Paul Kent outside pub in April
- Kent wants his assault charge dismissed
The lawyer for the man accused of throwing Paul Kent into a tree during a fight outside a pub has told a court the controversial former TV presenter drank 21 beers before the alleged clash.
Tamer Uzun, 35, has pleaded not guilty after being charged over the alleged collision outside the Three Weeds Hotel in Sydney’s west just after 11pm on April 27.
Footage of the alleged incident showed Kent calling Uzun a ‘dog face’ as the pair argued before storming towards him as other men tried to intervene.
Lawyer Bryan Wrench, acting on behalf of Mr Uzon, told the Downing Center court that he obtained CCTV footage of Kent before the alleged confrontation with his client.
“The footage shows the other party drinking 21 schooners and shadowboxing prior to the incident,” Wrench said Friday morning.
‘We say that our client is not the attacker.
Tamer Uzun (pictured right in footage of the alleged clash with Kent) is accused of affray after the video of Kent being thrown into a tree went viral
Footage of the alleged fight showed Kent (centre) hitting his head in a gutter after being thrown into a tree outside a Sydney pub. Uzun is depicted on the left dressed in black
“The other person is Mr. Paul Kent.”
Daily Mail Australia understands the CCTV footage was filmed at the Sackville Hotel, where Kent is a regular drinker.
Uzun’s case has been adjourned until July 19 and Mr Wrench is writing to police asking for charges to be dropped.
Mr Wrench’s colleague, lawyer Chris Murphy, tweeted that Uzun was “out to dinner with his wife and another couple” on the night of the alleged fight and “does not consume alcoholic beverages.”
The alleged clash took place across the street when Kent appeared to try to punch Uzun before being thrown into a tree and landing headfirst in the gutter.
Kent has been suspended from his positions at Fox Sports and the Daily Telegraph.
Uzun reported to Balmain police station about 6.45pm on April 28 before being taken to Newtown police station in the city’s west and charged with affray after officers launched an investigation when they became aware of the video.
Kent was charged with affray on May 1.
NSW Police revealed the development in a statement which read: ‘At approximately 11.20pm on Saturday 27 April 2024, two men were reportedly involved in a verbal altercation before becoming involved in a physical altercation outside a restaurant on Evans Street, Rozelle.’
Kent is seeking to have the charges dismissed on mental health grounds after appearing in court on May 14.
“I will be applying to have this case tried under mental health and cognitive impairment,” Kent’s attorney George Elias told Magistrate Scott Nash.
Knows
‘In the aftermath of this alleged incident, he (Kent) sought urgent advice. He visited his GP who referred him to Burwood Hospital.
‘He has an urgent appointment to come and have a look [one doctor] on May 22 and [is seeking] other treatment…relating to alcohol.”
Under the law, a magistrate can issue an order to remove a person from the care of a responsible person if he is found to have an intellectual disability.
Mr Nash agreed to a six-week delay for Mr Kent to receive a treatment plan from his new doctor and rejected bail reporting conditions.
Kent has not entered a plea.
The maximum penalty for sedition under NSW law is 10 years’ imprisonment and this is considered a more serious charge than assault.
Just after Kent was charged, Elias claimed the former Fox Sports TV host had to be hospitalized with broken ribs and a possible collapsed lung after the alleged collision.