David Ian Johnston, 55, of Keppel Street, Bathurst, was fined $1000 and placed on a Community Corrections Order for 12 months after appearing before magistrate Cate Follent. A second charge of affray was withdrawn and dismissed.

Police facts tendered to the court told how Johnston and the victim were drinking at the Family Hotel on July 13 this year when an incident occurred between the two.

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Johnston left and the victim followed him outside and approached him about 15 metres from the hotel's entrance.

It is not known what ensued, according to the police facts, but a witness and security guard saw Johnston on top of the victim and physically assaulting her with his right palm and forearm.

Police wrote on the facts sheet that it should be noted that it was not one incident of the accused raising his right arm and assaulting the victim, but it happened numerous times.

The witness pulled Johnston off the victim, but Johnston tried to resist, swearing at the witness.

The witness did gain control of Johnston before police arrived.

Johnston was placed under arrest and cautioned. Questioned as to whether he assaulted the victim, he said he didn't know and he didn't think so, according to the police facts.

He was arrested and taken to Bathurst Police Station.

Police spoke to the victim, who suffered swelling and a minor laceration to her eyebrow.

She said Johnston had never done anything like it before and she didn't know what had happened, according to the police facts.

Johnston was interviewed by police, where he said he believed he had been assaulted by the victim and further said he was acting in self-defence.

He could not, however, explain how he became involved in the incident with the victim in the first place, according to the police facts.