FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA Sarri v Gresham [1999] FCA 175 ANDREW NICHOLAS SARRI V ROBERT JOHN GRESHAM AG 97 of 1998 JUDGES: SPENDER, HIGGINS, WEINBERG JJ DATE: 24 FEBRUARY 1999 PLACE: CANBERRA IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY DISTRICT REGISTRY AG 97 of 1998 BETWEEN: ANDREW NICHOLAS SARRI APPELLANT AND: ROBERT JOHN GRESHAM RESPONDENT JUDGES: SPENDER, HIGGINS, WEINBERG JJ DATE OF ORDER: 24 FEBRUARY 1999 WHERE MADE: CANBERRA THE COURT ORDERS THAT: The appeal be dismissed. Note: Settlement and entry of orders is dealt with in Order 36 of the Federal Court Rules. IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY DISTRICT REGISTRY AG 97 of 1998 BETWEEN: ANDREW NICHOLAS SARRI APPELLANT AND: ROBERT JOHN GRESHAM RESPONDENT JUDGES: SPENDER, HIGGINS, WEINBERG JJ DATE: 24 FEBRUARY 1999 PLACE: CANBERRA EX TEMPORE REASONS FOR JUDGMENT 1 The facts or the history of this matter need not be recited. 2 We can understand the concern of Mr Sarri at having on his record a finding that he had assaulted a patron, notwithstanding the fact that the penalty imposed was, of course, disposition under s556A without conviction. But the difficulty is, that on the evidence before him, the learned Magistrate was entitled to find that there had been no punch thrown by Mr Angelos or indeed any action on his part that could reasonably be so construed. There being no punch, there was no foundation then for any possible defence to the charge of assault by reason of either self-defence or of s88 of the Liquor Act, even if that section was applicable. And it seems to us no error, either on the part of the learned Magistrate or on the part of the Chief Justice in hearing an appeal from the learned Magistrate, has been demonstrated. 3 We would for those reasons dismiss the appeal. I certify that the preceding three (3) numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment herein of the Court. Associate: Dated: 24 February 1999 Counsel for the Appellant: Mr Richard Thomas Solicitor for the Appellant: Michael Bartlett Counsel for the Respondent: Mr Richard Refshauge Solicitor for the Respondent: ACT Director of Public Prosecutions Date of Hearing: 24 February 1999 Date of Judgment: 24 February 1999