A man who kicked a ball at another man causing him to fall and fracture his hands was given a suspended prison sentence.

Coleridge Hayward, 38, from Warwick, kicked the ball at Kirl Franks in April 2021, Magistrates’ Court was told.

As a result of the kick, Mr Franks fell to the ground and fractured his hands.

Hayward had pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm on August 18 and appeared in court yesterday for sentencing.

Javone Rogers, for the Crown, suggested that Hayward pay a fine between $3,000 and $4,000 but Elizabeth Christopher, Hayward’s lawyer, highlighted that her client’s only former employment had been occasional hustles so he would not be able to pay any fine.

She also said that the altercation between Hayward and Mr Franks happened because Mr Franks had refused to pay Hayward back a sum of money.

She suggested that her client should be sentenced to a probation order.

Acting magistrate Kenlyn Swan sentenced Hayward to one year imprisonment, suspended for 18 months and two years of probation.