However, in a plot not unlike a Hollywood blockbuster by the end of the night the best man would be in handcuffs after assaulting the groom and a close family friend. 

Garrad Richardson, 37, was sentenced to 12 months in jail with a non-parole period of three months, after being found guilty of two charges of assault and one charge of resisting police arrest by Magistrate Gabriel Fleming in Milton Local Court on June 23.

Arriving home after dinner at the Milton-Ulladulla Bowling Club, Richardson proceeded to launch an otherwise unprovoked attack on his soon-to-be brother-in-law and a family friend he had met just hours earlier.

In an attack that has torn a family apart and Magistrate Fleming has described as “gratuitous violence” Richardson punched the family friend in the head several times causing him to fall to the ground and black out. 

“If his head had hit the ground and he had not gotten up again you would not be sitting here,” Magistrate Fleming said.

“You would be in your greens and before the Supreme Court.”

Richardson then dragged the groom from the club’s courtesy bus, ripping the buttons from his shirt, punching him in the head and causing him to fall to the ground. 

Richardson fled the scene and was later located by police hiding in the backyard of the groom’s house underneath a boat. 

He then became verbally abusive and physically violent towards police as they tried to arrest him.

“It is extremely important that you and the community get the message that when the police are called they are not there to join the party,” Magistrate Fleming said.

“Resisting them makes their job harder, and is breaking the law. 

“Your behaviour and your language was extremely offensive. It is absolutely appalling.”

Magistrate Flemming expressed shock this type of attack could occur with Richardson only knowing one of the victims for a number of hours.  

“In a civilised society, even if you feel confronted you cannot act in this way. 

“There needs to be a strong message of deterrence. I need to denounce your conduct and recognise that this type of violence not only affects the victims but the community; and that is what I am doing now. 

“There is no alternative other than a period of imprisonment.”

Richardson lodged an appeal and has been released on bail to reappear before Nowra District Court on July 25.