Champion boxer Joe Cordina was 'retaliating' when he punched man to ground, court hears

Former boxing world champion Joe Cordina was "retaliating" during a fight where he punched a man at a petrol station, a court has heard.

Cordina is standing trial charged with assault by beating relating to an incident on 27 February involving Jamie O'Brien, who previously admitted a charge of assault by beating. A second assault by beating charge against Cordina was dropped on Tuesday.

Cardiff Magistrates' Court heard the altercation came to light days later, after a video was published on Wales Online, filmed by a witness at a Texaco garage in the Pentwyn area of Cardiff.

O'Brien's sister told police her brother "hated" Cordina, the court was told, and she feared he had "sought out" Cordina.

CCTV footage of the incident "which took place over several minutes" was played to the court, showing Cordina filling up his car and walking over to O'Brien who stood on the pavement nearby.

Prosecutor Alex Orndal said O'Brien "pushed Mr Cordina with his shoulder" and Cordina then "punched him with sufficient force to push him to the ground", where he then pushed him "repeatedly".

"Mr Cordina has initiated the confrontation," Orndal said, adding "Cordina was not protecting himself but retaliating".

There was then "aggression" from O'Brien, the court heard, as Cordina raised a golf club and O'Brien lunged at him, before a number of blows were exchanged.

O'Brien was eventually restrained and "posed no further threat", the court heard, but Cordina then threw a further punch at him.

In a police interview, Cordina denied the alleged offence, saying that "having been shoved" he "felt threatened" and then punched him later "out of instinct" due to O'Brien's actions.

Cordina's defence barrister, Tom Crowther, told the court O'Brien had been identified by family members from the video circulating online, who had raised concerns about his behaviour.

Tom Crowther KC, defending, asked investigating officer PC Samuel Penman to watch the video that had circulated online.

He said it was plain to see that they were "watching and waiting" for Cordina, suggesting it was a set up.

Penman said it was not obvious but he did agree that the person filming "seemingly started recording prior to any physical altercation going on".

The court heard that, when O'Brien was arrested, he "argued with officers" and "challenged" them.

Penman admitted it was a "mistake" not to question O'Brien's sister about her concerns that her brother held a "vendetta" against Cordina.