'They have no remorse': Lollipops brawlers walk free from court
Months after an all-in brawl at a children's birthday party, one of the women involved in the disturbing scenes has been sentenced, but won't be jailed.
Marleen Isaac, 31, pleaded guilty to affray, admitting she jumped in and pulled a man's shirt over his eyes so he was unable to defend himself during the fracas at a kids play centre in Wetherill Park in Sydney.
Marleen Issac. Photo: 7 News
On Wednesday she was handed a 12-month suspended jail term, meaning she will not do time if she remains of good behaviour.
The other six members of her family who were there have all pleaded guilty to the fight, which put three people in hospital back in June.
Fairfield Local Court Magistrate Vivien Swain on Wednesday told how the melee began after one man, Isaac David Isaac, grabbed a girl who had accidentally bumped into another child.
"This all started, it seems, because Mr Isaac Isaac had a disproportionate protective instinct towards (one) child," Ms Swain said.
Isaac told the little girl to "play nice" and the frightened child burst into tears and ran to her father.
The father asked for an explanation before telling one of Isaac's associates: "Don't touch me, I don't want to fight."
At that, the violence erupted.
Terrified kids who had been playing peacefully at Lollipops Playland watched in shock as their dads and grandfather were punched, pulled to the ground and kicked in the head.
Terrified children witnessed the violent scenes. Photo: 7 News
Their injuries were so severe all three were rushed to hospital.
One of the victims told 7 News about the impact the incident has had on his family. Photo: 7 News
The father, who wished to remain anonymous, told 7 News: "Our kids are still traumatised by this. It was crazy out there, we had no time to think, just tried to protect ourselves.
"The scary thing was we didn't know where our kids were.
"These nasty people have no remorse."
Ms Issac refused to answer reporters questions as she walked free from court and did not apologise.
The victim added: "I think they only pleaded guilty because of the overwhelming evidence and the cameras that were there."
The remaining six defendants have had their case adjourned so they can be assessed as candidates for intensive correction orders, which are custodial sentences served in the community under the supervision of Corrective Services NSW.
The case returns to court in January.
