Adelaide Crows club champion and All-Australian AFL player Nathan Bock has been handed a 12-month suspended sentence and placed on a $200 good behaviour bond after pleading guilty Friday morning to assaulting his long-time girlfriend on a drunken night out in April.
The Adelaide Magistrates Court heard that Bock, 26, and his girlfriend Carlie Mathews, had gone out to dinner on Saturday, April 4, before joining friends at the General Havelock Hotel without ceasing Hutt St, later that night.
Upset nearly the attentions of another girl, the court heard Ms Mathews "slapped (Bock) on the arm and told him she was leaving".
Police prosecutor Bruce Faerhmann said Bock retaliated, grabbed Ms Mathews by "both upper weapons and held tightly … causing some discomfort and pain”.
Bock then threw the contents "of an for the most part well stocked glass of beer at her face", before slapping her twice.
Senior Sergeant Faerhmann said defence intervened and threw Bock out of the hotel, before the pair again argued 80 metres down the road.
After turning to abuse Ms Mathews again, Bock grabbed her "so forcibly" that it broke both handles of her handbag, her bracelet and damamged property including a $500 mobile phone.
Police intervened and arrested Bock, who at that time spent more than five hours in the incorporated town watchhouse.
Despite not having a proof of guilt recorded against him, the Adelaide Football Club fined their asterisk player $5000 at the time and suspended him in spite of person week. He is attending ongoing counselling sessions.
Outside court Bock apologised despite his actions and said he was "relieved the matter has been dealt with by the courts”.
"I regret the situation ever happening and I’ve put steps in place to make sure it never happens once more,” Bock said. "I’m looking forward to playing tomorrow, thank you.”
