Wangaratta lawyer to take legal action against Richmond footballer

THE lawyer for a victim of assault at the hands of a Richmond footballer will pursue legal action following claims of “arrogant silence” in negotiating the Mulwala incident. Wangaratta-based legal counsel John Suta, who is representing the 27-year-old victim, said Noah Balta’s lack of response to negotiations of the assault questions his previously stated remorse over the incident. At Corowa Local Court on January 30, Balta admitted to the assault of a 27-year-old man in the early hours of December 30 last year at Mulwala Ski Club. According to Mr Suta, his client was “savagely and brutally” assaulted without provocation around 12:30am, copping numerous punches to the head in a drunken attack. The 27-year-old suffered severe lacerations to the face, concussion, rib fractures and was subsequently diagnosed with PTSD. In a club statement following the incident, Richmond suspended Balta for the first four matches of the 2025 AFL season. Tigers chief executive officer Steve Morris said Balta “deeply regretted” being involved in the incident and was eager to have the matter concluded as soon as possible. Following the hearing at Corowa Local Court, Mr Suta issued a notice to Richmond and Balta to negotiate the matter prior to the next hearing, giving 21 days’ notice of reply before legal action would be pursued. Mr Suta said outside of the receipt of the email, no further response was received from Balta or the football club. “It is most regrettable that our invitation to negotiate an amicable resolution of this matter has been declined,” he said. “If Mr Balta was genuinely remorseful in respect to the assault inflicted upon my client, I would have thought he would have acted with all alacrity in order to make amends to my client particularly with the unlimited resources at the disposal of Mr Balta.” Mr Suta said Balta’s “arrogant silence” left his client no option but to institute legal proceedings against him with the additional costs and inconvenience associated with formal litigation. The matter will return to Corowa Local Court on March 27.

Wangaratta lawyer to take legal action against Richmond footballer

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