Former world boxing champion Joe Cordina has been acquitted of assault after striking a man outside a petrol station, Judge Charlotte Murphy ruled at Cardiff Crown Court. The judge found Cordina not guilty of assaulting Jamie O'Brien, 33, stating she was satisfied that Cordina believed it was necessary to use force in self-defence.
The incident took place outside a garage in Pentwyn, Cardiff, in February. Cordina was refuelling his Land Rover when he approached O'Brien, who was sitting on the pavement near the petrol station exit. CCTV footage showed O'Brien shoving Cordina with his shoulder, after which the two-time IBF super-featherweight champion struck him with enough force to knock him to the ground. The two continued to argue and exchange blows.
The judge stated that one measured, controlled blow was proportionate in the circumstances. "In my opinion, it was necessary and the force used was proportionate in the circumstances," Murphy said. She added that it is easy to consider the defendant's response by watching the CCTV in slow motion, but that the defendant had a fraction of a second to respond to the shoulder strike. "I reject any suggestion that the defendant was in any way retaliating," she emphasised.
O'Brien, from Pentwyn, had previously pleaded guilty to an assault charge. The judge had previously decided there was no case to answer regarding a second assault charge. Police began investigating the incident after footage of the altercation circulated online.
Cordina told the court that he initially thought O'Brien was a fan wanting a photograph. He called out to him, but O'Brien replied: "You come over here." Cordina said O'Brien then "shoved" him during their initial contact, leaving him feeling threatened. "He had his hands in his pockets, I don't know what people carry these days," he added.
The judge noted that this was a person who has lived in the public eye for many years and communicates with the public daily. "For all those reasons, the crown has not proved its case to the criminal standard. I therefore find the defendant not guilty and dismiss the charge," Murphy concluded.
Cordina also told the court that he was "quite" certain he would risk losing his boxing licence if he received a criminal conviction, and that this had "100%" influenced his day-to-day behaviour. Due to the incident, the 34-year-old Cordina was banned from entering the US to fight for the WBO lightweight title.
