Former AFL player Nicky Winmar has been sentenced to six months in prison after being convicted of three assault-related offences against a woman in northern Victoria. The court ruled that his celebrated 1993 stand against racism could receive only limited consideration, given the seriousness of the violence and his previous offending; his barrister has lodged an appeal.

The magistrate said the assaults included twisting the woman’s arm, dragging her by her ponytail and repeatedly striking her head against a door hard enough to crack it. Winmar, 60, will also serve a one-year community corrections order after release; he has been removed from the Australian Football Hall of Fame and his Perth Stadium statue has been taken down following the case.