'It seemed like a good idea at the time': why Nick D'Arcy hit Simon Cowley

Swimmer Nick D'Arcy told police "it seemed like a good idea at the time" after he assaulted fellow swimmer Simon Cowley in a Sydney bar, a court has heard.
Cowley is suing D'Arcy for damages in the NSW District Court over the incident three years ago at The Loft that left him with significant injuries including multiple face fractures.
Paul Hayes, representing D’Arcy, said that Cowley and D’Arcy had been unknown to each other when they found themselves in the Sydney bar.

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'Seemed like a good idea at the time' ... Nick D'Arcy Photo: Getty Images

Cowley's lawyer, Patrick Saidi, said Cowley was king hit in the early hours of March 30, 2008.
His most recent major operation, a jaw alignment correction, had been in June last year, and he required plates in his face, Mr Saidi said.
He told the court today that Cowley had spent $40,000 on medical expenses and had been forced to leave his job with WPS financial services because of the attack.

Suing ... Simon Cowley. Photo: Steven Siewert

Mr Saidi said that Cowley had suffered significant disadvantage as a result of the facial injuries he suffered when struck in the face by D'Arcy’s elbow.
He said he had required plates to be inserted and for a time he had to wear braces on his teeth and on June 2 last year he had required further surgery to correct the alignment of his jaw.
Cowley had been working for WPS financial services but was forced to resign because the people he was dealing with had only been interested in what had really happened between him and D'Arcy.
Cowley was due to start a job with Singapore Airlines last week but he had left that to undertake further studies to further his career.
D'Arcy, 23, was given a suspended jail sentence of 14 months and 12 days and placed on a conditional good behaviour bond n 2009 after pleading guilty to recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm.
He lost his place on the Olympic swimming team for the 2008 Beijing games and was excluded from Australia's world championship swimming team in 2009.
The court was told D'Arcy, moments after the incident, told police who asked why he hit Cowley: "I don't know, it seemed like a good idea at the time. I guess it doesn't though now."
Mr Saidi said self-defence would not be available because of D'Arcy's guilty plea in the criminal matter.
Fellow swimmer Eamon Sullivan and Cowley's parents are expected to give evidence on Monday.
The hearing before Judge Anthony Puckeridge is continuing.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/sport/swimming/it-seemed-like-a-good-idea-at-the-time-why-nick-darcy-hit-simon-cowley-20110627-1gmlc.html#ixzz1QRxGyDd2