Heamoni Fangu Fangu, 51 claims he had a “brain snap” when he assaulted referee Nathan Blanchard at the Group 10 local derby clash between Orange Hawks and Orange CYMS at Endeavour Oval.

Fangu Fangu claimed he had worked a night shift at the Hotel Orange and hadn’t been to bed before going to the match.

Mason Manwaring represented Fangu Fangu, who sat quietly in court behind his solicitor and did not speak during the proceedings.

Mr Manwaring handed the magistrate several references attesting to the good character of his client.

In evidence tendered to the court police said after interviewing referee Blanchard, the attack had left him visibly shaken and he had lost all confidence in refereeing.

Magistrate Terry Lucas ordered the preparation of a pre-sentence report before Fangu Fangu’s next court appearance in October.

“This will assist me in determining if there is any alternative to full-time custody,” he said.

In the lead-up to the brawl which pre-empted the attack on the referee, police say the referee ordered a Hawks player from the field.

Police facts stated that as the Hawks player was leaving the field a CYMS player incited a brawl which was eventually brought under control with the assistance of touch judges and club officials.

When Blanchard called the game off and was leaving the field, police claim Fangu Fangu pulled him to the ground and swung a punch at the referee which missed him by millimetres.

Touch judge Terry Strong, who is witness in the case, tried to restrain the accused while Mr Blanchard lay on the ground trying to protect his face before CYMS players came to his aid.

Police were called but by the time they arrived at the ground Fangu Fangu had left.

He was charged at Orange police station later that night.

Fangu Fangu will be sentenced in Orange Local Court in October.