Joe Cordina Cleared of Assault Charges Following Petrol Station Altercation
A district judge found the former boxing champion not guilty of assault by beating, ruling his actions were a proportionate response to feeling threatened.
Former boxing world champion Joe Cordina has been acquitted of assault charges stemming from an altercation outside a petrol station in Cardiff.
Cardiff Magistrates' Court heard that Cordina, 34, punched Jamie O'Brien, 33, on February 27 outside a Texaco garage. CCTV footage presented in court showed O'Brien push Cordina with his shoulder before Cordina delivered a punch that knocked O'Brien to the ground.
The two men then continued to exchange blows. O'Brien had previously pleaded guilty to assault by beating.
Cordina testified that he initially approached O'Brien, who was sitting on the pavement, believing him to be a fan seeking a photograph. Cordina stated he is accustomed to being recognized and makes time for fans. He told the court that O'Brien responded to his approach by saying, "You come here." Cordina further stated he felt threatened after O'Brien "barged" him, and that "He had his hands in his pockets, I don't know what people carry on them these days," he told the court.
Cordina's defense argued he acted in self-defense. He also indicated that a criminal conviction could jeopardize his boxing license. He is a two-time IBF super-featherweight champion.
District Judge Charlotte Murphy ruled that Cordina acted on instinct and that his response was necessary and proportionate. "I am satisfied that the defendant believed it was necessary to use force to defend himself," the judge stated. "I am further satisfied that a single, measured, controlled punch was proportionate in the circumstances."
The judge noted that the CCTV footage should not be viewed in slow motion, emphasizing Cordina had "a split second to consider his response to the shoulder barge." She accepted Cordina's account that he pushed O'Brien while he was on the ground to keep him away. The judge also dismissed any suggestion that Cordina was retaliating, noting his history of interacting with the public.
"For all of those reasons, the crown has not proved to the criminal standard. I therefore find the defendant not guilty and dismiss the charge," the judge concluded. The court had previously ruled there was no case to answer on a second assault charge.
Following the verdict, Cordina's lawyer, Nadeem Majid, stated, "Today's verdict is a huge relief for Joe and everybody who's close to him. He's always maintained his innocence throughout this." Majid added that Cordina wishes to concentrate on his family and his boxing career, with hopes of competing in December.