Richmond defender Noah Balta has avoided jail time but will miss some of Richmond’s upcoming fixtures after the court handed down an 18-month community corrections order and a criminal conviction.

The CCO includes a curfew for the next three months, which means he cannot leave his house between the hours of 10pm and 6am, and that will affect his ability to play in night games for the Tigers.

The 25-year-old pleaded guilty to assaulting a man in December last year and was suspended for four AFL matches, returning to the field over the Easter weekend against Gold Coast.

The sentence handed down from the Albury Local Court found Balta must abstain from alcohol, pay a $3000 fine and also must pay the victim $45,000 in damages.

Among the games he will miss for the Tigers are Melbourne on Anzac Day eve, the Dreamtime at the ‘G against Essendon in Round 11 on May 23, and the twilight clash with GWS in Sydney in Round 12 on May 31.

MORE TO COME