Joe Cordina cleared of assault after judge accepts self-defence

Former boxing world champion Joe Cordina has been found not guilty of assault by beating following a trial at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court. BBC News reported that District Judge Charlotte Murphy accepted the 34-year-old had acted to defend himself during a confrontation with Jamie O’Brien outside a petrol station in Pentwyn, Cardiff.

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The incident happened in February while Cordina was filling his Land Rover. He approached O’Brien, who was sitting near the station exit. CCTV showed O’Brien pushing the boxer with his shoulder before Cordina punched him, knocking him down. Cordina is a two-time IBF super-featherweight champion; O’Brien, from Pentwyn, is 33.

In explaining the acquittal, Murphy said Cordina believed force was necessary and that his single punch was proportionate. As reported by the BBC, she stressed that he had only a split second to react to the shoulder barge, rather than the time available to someone reviewing the CCTV footage in slow motion.

Further court reporting published by The Irish News said Murphy accepted that Cordina approached O’Brien believing he was a fan. She also accepted his explanation that subsequent pushes were intended to keep O’Brien away, rejecting the suggestion that he was retaliating. The judge noted that police had warned Cordina of a threat to his life two weeks before the confrontation.

The Irish News reported that Murphy had previously found there was no case to answer on a second assault charge. O’Brien had already pleaded guilty to assault by beating. Police investigated after footage appeared online, although the judge said there was no evidence O’Brien knew the person recording it. The BBC reported that the incident had also led to Cordina being denied US entry for a WBO lightweight title bout.

After the verdict, lawyer Nadeem Majid described the outcome as a relief and thanked Cordina’s family, friends, supporters and legal team, according to The Irish News. He said Cordina wanted to concentrate on his family and boxing, and expressed a wish to see him on a December bill. That statement did not confirm a scheduled fight.