Former world boxing champion Joe Cordina has been acquitted of assaulting a man who punched him outside a gas station.
A district judge found Cordina, 34, not guilty of assault by beating Jamie O’Brien, 33, after a trial at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court.
The court heard that Cordina had filled up his Land Rover at Pentwyn service station in Cardiff in February when he spotted O’Brien looking at him.
Cordina, a two-time IBF super-featherweight champion, approached O’Brien – who was sitting on the pavement near the exit of the station – believing he was a fan.
Judge Charlotte Murphy described how O’Brien then “shouldered him in the chest and chin”, in what she found was a “deliberate attack” on Cordina.
She pointed out that the attack happened just two weeks after Cordina was told by the police that there was a threat to his life.
In her ruling, the judge said: “I am satisfied that the defendant believed it was necessary to use force to defend himself.
“I am further satisfied that a single, measured and controlled punch was proportionate to the circumstances.
“It is very easy to consider the defendant’s response by viewing the CCTV in slow motion, however the defendant had a split second to consider his response to the shoulder barge.”
The judge said she accepted Cordina’s testimony that he had repeatedly pushed O’Brien “while he was on the floor to keep her away from him.”
“In my opinion, it was necessary and the force used was proportionate to the circumstances,” she added.
“I reject any suggestion that the defendant was retaliating in any way.
“This is a person who has lived for many years in the public eye and has interacted with the public every day.
“For all of these reasons, the Crown has not proven the criminal standard. I therefore find the defendant not guilty and dismiss the charge.”
The judge had previously ruled there was no case to answer on the second charge of assault.
CCTV footage played in court showed O’Brien pushing Cordina with his shoulder, before Cordina punched him.
O’Brien, of Pentwyn, previously pleaded guilty to one count of assault by beating.
The police began to investigate the incident after the footage was shared on the Internet. The judge ruled Tuesday that there was no evidence that O’Brien knew the person he was filming.
She added that Cordina had approached O’Brien “in good faith”, believing he was a fan.
During the trial, Cordina said she initially thought O’Brien wanted a picture and described how she was used to being recognized four or five times a day.
He told the court he acted in self-defence because he felt threatened after O’Brien attacked him.
“He had his hands in his pockets, I don’t know what people keep in them these days,” Cordina said.
After the case, Cordina’s lawyer Nadeem Majid issued a statement to the media.
He said: “Today’s decision is a huge relief for Joe and everyone close to him.
“He has always said he is innocent throughout all of this.
“On behalf of Joe, I would like to thank his family, his friends, his loyal fans, his legal team for their unwavering support during a very difficult time.
“Joe would now like to concentrate on his family and especially his boxing. We would all like to see him on the bill in December. Thank you all very much.”
