Former professional rugby player Tommy Murray sealed his fate on Thursday.
In an incident in 2013, the 31-year-old punched a police officer trying to help him find his partner's son. Innibreated beyond control at a beer festival at Ashford Rugby Club, Murray had to be tasered twice.
The ordeal began when a bunch of youngsters broke out during the event and police were called in to deal with an on-field incident. Fearing the teenage son of his lover was caught up in the ruckus, Murray ignored the offer from officer David Duffy to find him and piled into the group of taunting youths.
Two teens felt his wrath.
Duffy, who then went to stop Murray from fighting, suffered a blow to his jaw. Though the incident transpired in August of 2013, the officer hasn't fully recovered.
Judge Heather Norton, overseeing Murray's case, had this to offer at his sentencing (via Kent Online): "I accept there is evidence that you were looking for your partner's 14-year-old boy. There were also people around you that were trying to wind you up; however, it is of some inconsiderable concern to me that your judgement and insight was so impaired [by drink], that you didn't think for one second that you getting involved would not have helped the situation."
"You ignored them [police] and what you did instead was to run towards a group of youngsters and, unprovoked, you were seen to punch two males," Norton added. "One of the police officers ran over to you, but before he could do anything, you turned around and punched him in the jaw knocking him to the ground."
Murray was ordered to pay officer Duffy £2,500 in addition to his 21-month jail sentence and 300 hours of unpaid work for the community. Ashford Rugby Club also banned the former player for 10 years.
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