Former boxing world champion Joe Cordina has been cleared of assaulting a man he punched outside a petrol station in Cardiff. The 34-year-old was found not guilty of assault by beating against Jamie O’Brien, 33, following a trial at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court.
Judge Rules Self-Defence Was Justified
District Judge Charlotte Murphy said she was satisfied that Cordina believed it was necessary to use force to defend himself. She described the punch as "a single, measured, controlled punch" that was "proportionate in the circumstances".
The judge noted that while it is easy to consider the defendant’s response by watching CCTV in slow motion, Cordina had only a split second to react to the shoulder barge from O’Brien.
Evidence and Background
The court heard that Cordina, a two-time IBF super-featherweight champion, was acting on "instinct" when he punched O’Brien during the altercation. Cordina had been filling up his Land Rover before approaching O’Brien, who was sitting on the pavement near the station exit.
CCTV footage showed O’Brien pushing Cordina with his shoulder before Cordina punched him with enough force to knock him to the ground. The two men continued to exchange blows, and O’Brien, from Pentwyn, has previously pleaded guilty to assault by beating.
The incident occurred outside Pentwyn service station in Cardiff in February, and police began investigating after footage of the altercation was circulated online.
Cordina's Account
Cordina told the court he initially thought O’Brien was a fan who wanted a photograph, as he was used to being recognised four or five times a day. He said he had seen O’Brien staring at him and called him over, but O’Brien responded, "You come here."
Cordina said he acted in self-defence because he felt threatened after O’Brien "barged" him during their initial interaction. He added, "He had his hands in his pockets, I don’t know what people carry on them these days."
The judge accepted Cordina’s evidence that he had repeatedly pushed O’Brien "while on the floor to keep him away from him," and rejected any suggestion that Cordina was retaliating. She ruled that the crown had not proved the case to the criminal standard and dismissed the charge. The judge had previously ruled there was no case to answer on a second charge of assault.
Cordina told the court it was "pretty much" a certainty that he would risk losing his boxing licence if convicted, and that this "100%" affected how he conducted himself day to day.
