- Venezuela’s top cross country skier punched Canberra embassy landlord in face
- It occurred in September after he blocked building with bobcat over unpaid rent
- Cesar Augusto Baena Sierraalta, 30, pleaded guilty to count of common assault
Venezuela’s top cross country skier face punched the 71-year-old landlord of his nation’s Australian embassy because he was patriotically outraged.
A bobcat, large truck and a ute were parked across the front of the embassy in Canberra over $50,000 in unpaid rent leading to a violent confrontation a fortnight ago.
César Augusto Baena Sierraalta appeared in the Australian Capital Territory Magistrates Court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to one count of common assault in the quiet, inner-Canberra suburb of O’Malley.
César Augusto Baena Sierraalta has appeared in court charged with punching landlord, 71
The Venezuelan skier was upset a bobcat, truck and ute had blockaded this embassy building
The athlete, who was in Australia training for next year’s Winter Olympics, told police he felt his South American nation’s sovereignty had been violated, The Canberra Times reported.
Court documents, seen by Fairfax Media, said the skiier had argued with the 71-year-old landlord who had leased his property to Venezuelan government for the past 18 years.
He punched the elderly man in the face, causing the landlord to fall to the ground, they said.
The Venezuelan skier then fled only for police to find him in a nearby park.
The court papers said he then showed remorse to police.
Baena is due to reappear in court in October.
The 30-year-old cross country skier punched the 71-year-old landlord in the face with force