Paleaaesina given GBH punishment

Wigan’s Iafeta Paleaaesina has been been given a 200-hour community service order after being found guilty of GBH.nnThe charge relates to an incident which took place on 6 October, in which the New Zealand prop, 26, punched bus driver James Campbell, breaking his jaw. nnThe assault took place in the car park of Wigan North Western railway station at 0430 GMT, within hours of Wigan’s play-off exit at Leeds.nn17st Paleaaesina, of Holmeswood Road, Rufford, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to occasioning grievous bodily harm at Liverpool Crown Court, and was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation to Mr Campbell, 29.nnHe was also ordered to pay his own legal bill and pay £250 towards the prosecution costs.nnPaleaaesina had been out clubbing after returning from Wigan and was returning to his car with two fellow players and two women when he became involved in an argument with Mr Campbell.nnNeville Biddle, prosecuting, told the court: “Mr Campbell started making disparaging comments about the match before the defendant hit him and he fell to the ground.”nnMr Biddle added that Paleaaesina and his friends returned to the car and drove off without helping the victim. The incident, however, was captured on CCTV.nnMr Campbell suffered a broken jaw, requiring hospital treatment, and was said to be left “shocked and shaken” by the incident.nnPaul Becker, defending, told the court: “The defendant was provoked and wound up by an intoxicated individual who was goading him about his track suit and his team’s performance. The verbal abuse just went too far.”nnHe added: “The defendant accepts he acted improperly and is extremely sorry for what he did and the injuries he caused.”nnMr Becker also urged Judge Adrian Lyon to limit the sentence so Paleaaesina would be able secure an Australian visa if he is picked for the Samoan World Cup squad.nnJudge Lyon reminded the court that Paleaaesina had only ever received one yellow card in his entire career, and explained how the incident was very much out of character.nn”It seems to me to illustrate the control you are able to exercise on the field in what can be a violent game. On this occasion you lost control, it is highly unusual in your life.”