Burnie Supreme Court Justice Stephen Estcourt fines Shaun Albert Leonard over assault charges

Last week, a jury in the Supreme Court in Burnie found Shaun Albert Leonard guilty of two counts of assault for his part in the street fight.

Footage of the melee had been uploaded to social media and circulated widely at the time.

During a trial in the Supreme Court in Burnie, multiple witnesses gave evidence about attending the Tapas Marquee at the Devonport Cup that year, drinking large amounts of alcohol, and then seeing or being involved in the street fight which followed in the city.

The jury took just under three hours to find Leonard guilty of two counts of assault for bashing Megan Anthony during the brawl.

He was found not guilty of another count of assault.

Leonard told the jury he had between 15-20 Vodka Cruisers and two beers throughout the day prior to punching Ms Anthony twice in the face.

Defence lawyer Greg Richardson had consistently told the court during the trial that his client was acting in defence of himself when he punched Ms Anthony the first time, and in defence of his partner when he punched Ms Anthony the second time.

In sentencing, Justice Stephen Estcourt said he was not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that Leonard was not acting in self defence when he punched Ms Anthony the first time.

He said it was open for him to reason the jury believed the same, but found the force used to be excessive.

However, Justice Estcourt said the threat to Leonard's partner had passed when he punched Ms Anthony the second time.

He said he had "ample time to take stock of the situation" and desist from punching her again.

He said he believed it was a retaliation for Ms Anthony throwing his partner to the ground.

Justice Estcourt said he would not have been involved in such violence if he had not been drinking for most of the day, as he was previously a man of good character.

In giving evidence, Leonard had told the jury he had only minor prior convictions from when he was a young man and nothing relating to violence.

Justice Estcourt convicted Leonard of the charges, fined him $1000 and ordered he complete 140 hours of community service.