IASbet – Nick D’Arcy
November 25, 2008 11:00 am SwimmingIn a sensational about face, disgraced swimmer Nick D’Arcy has pleaded guilty to the assault of former swimmer and Commonwealth Games Gold medalist Simon Cowley.
Directly after the incident, defense for D’Arcy clearly stated that the champion butterflier would be defending the charge of assault occasional grievous bodily harm but in today’s preliminary hearing, D’Arcy defense team entered a guilty plea.
D’Arcy’s spectacular fall from grace came literally just hours after qualifying for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
It is alleged that following the swim meet, D’Arcy and fellow team mates were out celebrating at a popular night spot when Cowley approached Nick D’Arcy and was punched to the ground – leaving him with a fractured eye socket, soft palette, cheekbone and nose.
Despite entering a guilty plea, defense for D’Arcy maintains that it was Cowley who initiated the violent altercation by slapping D’Arcy across the face.
Apparently D’Arcy then left the scene only to be followed by Cowley.
Fearing a further strike, D’Arcy countered with one punch to the face of Cowley that sent him reeling and caused the extent of his injuries.
Details of the incident are still shady but what remains clear is that D’Arcy forfeited quite possibly a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent his country with a single instant of madness.
Cowley is still being rehabilitated for his injuries and will have five titanium plates permanently embedded in his face.
D’Arcy’s sentence hearing will take place on the 20th of February, 2009.