Esperance Bulldogs brothers Braydon Wood, 29, and Rhys Wood, 23, were found not guilty of aggravated common assault causing bodily harm to Ports Blues player and off-duty police officer, Christopher House.
On Friday morning, Braydon and Rhys appeared in court, while Magistrate William Yoo handed down the sentence via video link from Kalgoorlie.
Magistrate Yoo said it was the onus of the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Braydon and Rhys had punched Mr House and caused bodily harm.
He said there had to be proof of aggravation too.
Last month, Braydon and Rhys fronted the Esperance Magistrates court for trial, where they both pleaded not guilty.
On June 18-19, the brothers sat next to each other as the prosecution presented oral and written evidence from seven witnesses, including complainant Mr House.
The prosecution’s case mostly relied on witness testimonies and CCTV footage which showed a brawl in the Ports Oval carpark on June 22 last year.
Mr House told the court he suffered mild concussion and a laceration to the top of his head after he was punched repeatedly and dragged to the ground by the Wood brothers.
Magistrate Yoo accepted Mr House’s evidence, stating it was “reliable” and “crystal clear” but he said the punch by Braydon and Rhys was the “critical issue”.
Mr House alleged Braydon had made threatening remarks during the game and engaged in on-field “push and shove” with his Ports teammate, Harley Brown.
He said post-match, Braydon and a group of Esperance players, including Rhys, “erratically” confronted Brown in the carpark.
Mr House testified he stuck out his arms to avoid further conflict before Braydon and Rhys assaulted him.
He said several “spot fights” broke out in the carpark too.
The court was shown images of Mr House’s injuries, including a 2cm laceration to the top of his head.
Magistrate Yoo said the brother’s denial was “plausible” and “reliable”.
He accepted that the Wood brothers were there but he said the court found “reasonable doubt” Braydon and Rhys assaulted Mr House because of “clashing” recounts of events.
Namely, during the trial Rhys’ defence lawyer, Leo Heartly, said from the witness testimonies, there was clear evidence Mr House was punched by a man with a beard and not one witness described Braydon or Rhys as having such facial features.
And secondly, some witnesses attested it was another player who hit Mr House first.
Magistrate Yoo ordered the prosecution to reimburse Braydon $11,525 and Rhys $16,882.50 for accused costs.
The Wood family, who supported the brothers, exchanged hugs as they left the courthouse, seemingly relieved the long-awaited trial was over.
