See Paul Kent’s parting shot at employer that sacked him in the middle of his pub brawl court case

Paul Kent’s former employer abandoned the footballing great because he struggled with alcohol and mental health problems, a Sydney court has heard.

Kent, 54, was given a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to his role in a wild street brawl at Totti’s Rozelle in Sydney’s west on April 27.

It was revealed in court on Wednesday that the incident occurred after he was teased by a stranger about his recent domestic violence allegations.

Jennifer Price, a local judge at Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court, refused to grant the former Fox Sports and News Corp Australia columnist’s application in his case over a brawl that falls under the Mental Health Act.

Mrs Price took into account that Kent was suffering from severe depression and alcohol addiction at the time.

The former Fox Sports star and Daily Telegraph columnist was sacked by News Corp and Fox Sports as he battled charges of affray.

While both companies declined to comment on the layoffs, Kent attorney George Elias took a different approach on Wednesday.

Elias told the court that News Corp had offered his client “no help” as Kent battled drink and his mental demons, which were so severe that he sought urgent help after the brawl.

Kent (pictured during a TV appearance for Fox Sports) had received no support from his former employer News Corp during his battle with alcohol and mental health issues, his lawyer told a Sydney court on Wednesday

Kent had been “punishing himself with alcohol” since the brawl was charged, Elias said, after testifying at an earlier court hearing that the former TV analyst’s troubles had left him with cognitive impairments.

Mrs Price read out the police facts that evening and told the court that the stranger Tamer Uzun had asked Kent, who was walking home with his mates, if he was ‘going to the match tomorrow’.

Kent believed this was a reference to a domestic violence charge he had received the previous year against a 33-year-old woman, a charge he was eventually acquitted of.

Kent said ‘no’ and Uzun then replied ‘that’s right! You like to bash women,’ Ms Price told the court. The court heard the pair then exchanged blows.

Mr. Uzun said, ‘Come on, you weak dog.’

Kent replied, “I’m staying right here, brother, I’m standing right here, damn it, come here now… you dogface.”

The court at Sydney’s Downing Centre heard that Kent (pictured, centre) was suffering from severe depression and alcohol addiction at the time of the incident.

The court also heard on Wednesday that Kent suffered six broken ribs and a collapsed lung as a result of the incident

Judge Jennifer Price did not enter a conviction against Kent and sentenced him to a two-year suspended sentence.

Widely shared videos showed Kent hitting his head on a tree after the brawl moved from the sidewalk to the street.

The court heard on Wednesday that Kent suffered six broken ribs and a collapsed lung as a result of the incident.

“It appears that Mr Kent has fared considerably worse than the co-defendant as he sustained quite serious injuries,” said Ms Price.

The magistrate took into account that several people had tried to stop him, including a guard who tried to stand between him and Mr Uzun.

“People tried to stop you and a security guard tried to interfere,” Price said.

The court heard that several friends had agreed to write character references in support of Kent, including his former NRL360 co-host Ben Ikin, boxing trainer Johnny Lewis and Fox Sports presenter Yvonne Sampson.

When asked by reporters as he left court if he felt relieved, Kent said, “I do. It’s all over.”

Mr Uzun, 35, was also charged with affray for his alleged role in the brawl. He has pleaded not guilty and will appear in court again later this month.

Kent was dropped off in the street by Fox Sports and the Daily Telegraph after the brawl.

Earlier this week it was announced that Kent had been fired as commentator.