Online bullies save surf-mat king from prison…
The Lennox surf-mat king, Mark Thomson, has avoided a possible two-year jail sentence for holding the former pro surfer Jodie Cooper’s head underwater in what he has described as a “maritime incident.”
Cooper, who was the world number two in 1985, told Ballina Local Court last month that Thomson dropped in on her on a crowded day at Lennox Head (100 surfers in the water) and, after a collision, held her underwater.
“He had reached around and grabbed me and pushed me under the water. He just grabbed me with two hands and just forced me under the water,” said the fifty-five year old. “It was like he was standing on top of me and as he was doing that he was pulling my hair.”
In sentencing Thomson, who is fifty-four, Magistrate Karen Stafford noted the offence was in the upper-range of seriousness and that Thomson had form in the surf-fight game, referring to another incident at Byron Bay in 1998.
However, Stafford took into account a submission from his lawyer Andrew Sochacki who said Thomson had suffered psychological distress as a result of online “abuse”.
“Disgusting and horrifying,” Sochacki said.
Stafford sentenced Thomson to 300 hours’ community service with a two-year community corrections order.
BeachGrit‘s man on the spot, Steve Shearer, who will be reporting on the event tomorrow, was the go-to man for the state press.
“It just goes to show that even if there is a violent episode in the surf, unless there’s video evidence it probably won’t go to court, and even if there is video evidence, you’re just going to get a slap on the wrist,” he told ABC.
The good news for anyone who wants to buy the “most advanced production surf mat ever made”, Thomson’s Krypt MT5 Surf Mat Series IV, $US195, is Thomson ain’t disappearing into the NSW prison system.
Hey Derek Reilly, how would you feel if that was your daughter, mother or wife? Fuck you for trying to make light of this awful situation (which is a man violently attacking a women). That piece of shit should be in jail and you should be ashamed of yourself. Pull your head in.
Wow…so this IS actually a case where it was only gonna attention if he killed her….which by the look of things, could have happened very easily.
But this goes right along with what’s always happened everywhere. Locals feel they own the beach & will fight you for it.
I can’t believe this counts as news
What a piece of shite!
Must have big balls to hold a woman under water! But, the wanker pulls her hair too?
And, all because he dropped in on her?
Sounds like a shit place to live and surf
Geezer bugger handled Lenny enforcer that in another enviroment would find himself in a dumpster.
with the conviction he can no longer go to USa / Hawaii or Japan , but the sentence was pretty lite.
I think the online bullying is a classic defense , but true , will be interesting to see if the online bullying turns into a more “in the line up bullying,” now the sentence has been handed down.
The fact that the local blow ins have accepted his behaviour , have shown a real lack of community , which is understandable when you see the housing developments planned for Lennox….shit I think there might be a lot of us coming up to Lennox to buy real estate , as we get the family price from our Victorian Developer……seems like Lennox doesn’t really have locals , so let’s fill the vacuum and join the Fuckfest!!
Surely he can get a visa to visit such places, even with a conviction?
Si
Surely if he rides a different color mat out there, nobody will notice it’s him?
Just don’t give the peace sign and blow your cover.
It’s all a bit Thelma & Louise really
the sentence should have included a provision preventing him from surfing at any spot where the victim is already surfing. any violation of that order sends him straight to prison.
also, must be pointed out how shitty and ridiculous it is that someone who has achieved the level that she has in this recreational activity/sport would be assaulted in the lineup. would a former skiing champion ever have to worry about something like that? a basketball player? surfers are the worst.
“what was that? You’re a surfing champion. Oh shit. Never mind. Was totally going to snap your fucking femur, but it’s cool now” Wanker.
Is that the most punchable mug you’ve ever seen? Just looks like an entitled loud mouth who need’s sorting. Hope Jodie doesn’t have to cross paths with this trash.
SPORTS!!!
This was the mat world’s OJ moment.
If mat riding is shit, you must acquit!
jodie pooper
I find it sad that these online comments were even taken into consideration…..
The bullies always turn into such whingers when things don’t go their way.
I know Long Tom is fond of this man, but he sure looks like an asshole in that photo.
I don’t believe he was drowning Jodie, though her reaction sounds appropriate…. think this whole episode went too far beyond the surf and to involve a court/police/etc and come away with essentially no punishment is literally a waste of everyone’s time. (Although 8 work weeks of community service is significant)
But for the suspect to claim some bullshit online “abuse” makes me think he’s desperate and at fault. Past record of similar involvement…. you gotta do something as the court or you encourage more idiocy. A female judge handed down the lenient sentence…. ?
Maybe one of the “gentlemen” in the lineup could have intervened? Maybe one of the “gentlemen” in town could have revisited the situation with the Mat King on the street (he would have a hard time walking around my small town)?
At the very least, Mat King should be banned from surfing from Byron to Ballina for a few years. Also find it interesting how one American moved to town, introduced mat riding and has devotee’s to this day. ??? The legend of Greenough, never underestimate it sports fans!
one Great american who you dont seem to know much about
Me neither.. do tell? who the fuck are we talking about? who is the Mat King. DT’s dad or some other guy? what the fuck is a mat.. a softer version of a boogie? why would you need something different than a boogie if you are on your belly already? I am totally lost other than the fact that Hippy is right, the cunt deserved a punch to the head, then a pick up and a talking to, not a full blown beat down, just a “crack”.
I was making fun of the assailant calling him Mat King. And yes, someone should have punched him. Things used to take care of themselves, now courts fuck everything up.
I was asking ck t who the hell we are talking about?
Mats have a different feel than a boogie as you know already. They are quite common in you area and you have seen them before.
Hippy , I even gave Greenough a plug the other day in Long Tom’s 2007 part 2 .
“Thank god for Chutzpah , Drama and the Shoeless Guru from Montecito “ ….. Now it’s your turn you drop name of Bob McTavish in the next article concerning Rincon , how one Australian rode the first shortboard at Rincon,invited by Greenough , and shortboards are still being ridden there today ?
Greenough is so forgotten here except for Innermost Limits which was way beyond it’s time, dated as fuck now. Dr Jen’s generation has no reason to remember him and knee boarding, at one time accounted for 20% of surfers, is now extinct.
Now I did meet a “Bob” at Angourie that was fascinated with my boards (I shaped foot wells and squee geed the hot coat to give it a texture deck, no wax needed and light as fuck). He is a shaper in Yamba, or was, solid build like a footballer, bald dome. Anyway, we shared good Angourie for one work week alone and he would be in his 70’s now… this was like ’83…. Is that what you wanted? He was skeptical of me at first, but became a very friendly dude and I fucking bet you he tried the foot well thing. Every day he wanted a closer look at the boards, very curious.
Thanks Hippy . No man is an island ….
He’s more Aussie now than seppo
Not extinct down here. Can look exciting and dynamic on the beachies with a good rider. I have an old kneeboard under the house I keep thinking about bringing back to life – might have to limber up with some yoga for a few months first though.
Actually Greenough is not forgotten in that area nor is it your opinion that he is, Innermost Limits IS dated and that’s why people love it. You might want to express an opinion you actually hole. Just sayin.
fond?
negatory.
I deal face to face every day.
haha, i was waiting for a rebuke, im not sure even his son is ‘fond’ of him
You probably just got him out of his community service with that one.
Always thought community service was for teenagers just what does that sentence entail in Australia anyway?
Judging farts.
“most advanced production surf mat ever made”
I think he’s inflating that somewhat,
but I wouldn’t try to hold him down to admit it.
Very good word play…
Christ I’m bored…
My wife says that before we even start.
He’s a cunning linguist.
He does look prone to hyperbole
Waiting for the Jodie Cooper model.
Nice.
He will forever be known as a fuckwit but is that enough?
Today I got fish n’ chips from the local chippo. Thought I’d try chicken salt AND regular salt. It was great! Seriously, y’all should give it a go. Dash o’ cracked pepper o’er the top doesn’t go astray.
I love surfing. I surf reefbreaks!
You wanna roll like a king?
Use some decent balsamic vinegar on your chips.
Oooh missus.
Spank me.
Yes! Yes! Love a splash o ol’ nasty here n’ there.
＃mouthwaterin’.
Yeah but, you might want to put something tasty on your chips as well.
Make sure to wash your hands well after eating your chips, before you do your nasty splashing, or it might sting.
#nastysplashing #elo #olympics #neanderthalmurfers #Cthulhufitnesswear
#Matking
fucken funny……
chicken salt is the work of satan.
This article triggered all the old legends to come out of the closet