Ex-NRL player Packer's jail term reduced

Former NRL player Russell Packer has had his sentence for an alcohol-fuelled assault in Sydney's CBD reduced.

The Newcastle Knights prop will be eligible for parole in January 2015.

Packer appealed his two-year jail term for assaulting a man in Sydney's CBD last November.

District Court Judge Chris Hoy on Friday found the sentence was too severe and there should have been a non-parole period.

Packer has been re-sentenced to two years jail with a non-parole period of 12 months.

Packer had been kicked out of a bar in Martin Place when he got into a fight with a man outside.

The court heard Packer's punch sent the man to the ground.

Judge Hoy said Packer then knelt on the ground, gave the man an upper cut and in an "executionery way" stomped on his head.

Packer's defence team had submitted in his appeal that he was punched first.

However, Judge Hoy said the retaliation excessive.

"This was an attack ... that was ongoing," he said.

Judge Hoy found there were special circumstances because of Packer's youth, absence of any criminal record and prospects of rehabilitation.

Packer had moved to Australia in late 2013 to play for the Newcastle Knights.

Judge Hoy said Packer had a dysfunctional background and was surrounded by alcohol, violence and abuse during his upbringing in New Zealand.

Despite that, the 24-year-old managed to maintain a sporting career.

Packer came to Australia to escape binge-drinking, the court heard, with his family, including partner Lara.

Judge Hoy said Packer was a high-profile sportsman and now a high-profile offender, which sadly "comes with the territory".