Amateur footballer pleads guilty to on-field assault at Heathridge footy match

AN AMATEUR WA footballer has pleaded guilty to an on-field assault against a fellow player, who was an off-duty police officer, in Heathridge this year.

Leigh David Bennett, 35, was due to stand trial in the WA District Court today over a charge of grievous bodily harm.

However, he changed his plea to guilty to the lesser charge of assault causing bodily harm at the last minute.

The Maddington Aussie rules player was charged over a “king hit” on Ocean Ridge opponent Mitchell Shane McKay, who worked as a police officer, during a match in the northern Perth suburb of Heathridge in May last year.

Mr McKay suffered serious facial injuries, including a broken jaw, and had some teeth knocked out – requiring significant dental work.

Bennett had his bail extended and will face court next month, with a victim impact statement and a pre-sentence report to be completed in the meantime.