A former rugby league prodigy has been sent to prison for his role in a brutal street brawl that left an innocent woman with facial injuries and a man with a fractured skull and brain bleeding.
Maurice Trindall, 25, who previously played for the Penrith Panthers junior team and the NSW Blues under-18s State of Origin side, was jailed in Parramatta District Court after pleading guilty to reckless grievous bodily harm and reckless wounding.
Violent Outbreak Outside Sydney Hotel
The violent incident occurred outside the Bidwill Hotel in Sydney's outer west on Anzac Day last year. Court documents reveal the confrontation began when Trindall's friend, Marcus Barker, argued with another man about the NSW country town of Coonamble.
After security staff told Barker to move on, the situation rapidly escalated into a physical altercation. Trindall initiated the violence by punching Barker, according to witness statements included in court documents.
Innocent Bystander Among Victims
The situation worsened when Barker's cousin, Christopher Barker, arrived to assist him. During the melee, Christopher fell to the kerb and was repeatedly kicked in his body and head while lying defenceless in the gutter.
Witnesses described seeing him bleeding heavily with a swollen face and making "weird noises." One bystander saw blood pouring from his ear and used her own jacket to brace his head while waiting for emergency services.
In a separate but connected incident, Trindall glassed innocent bystander Donna Stanley in the face after she threw a glass bottle at him. Court documents state he evaded her throw, picked up the bottle, and retaliated by striking her near her right eye.
Severe Injuries and Sentence
The victims suffered significant injuries requiring hospital treatment. Christopher Barker was rushed to Westmead Hospital where he was diagnosed with multiple subdural haematomas and hearing loss, spending nine days in hospital recovering.
Donna Stanley was taken to Mt Druitt Hospital with a laceration to the right side of her forehead and another to the front of her scalp, both requiring stitches.
Trindall received a total prison term of two years and four months with a non-parole period of 14 months. Due to time already served in custody, he is scheduled for release on parole on December 1.
The former rising sports star, who played alongside current NRL stars Bradman Best, Spencer Leniu and Jason Saab in 2018, had since pursued a career as an amateur boxer.
