Timothy Robert Phillips, 42, of Dunns Creek Road, Woodlands, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and to not keeping a firearm safely  before magistrate Darryl Pearce in Batemans Bay Local Court on July 27.

However, the prosecution’s assault case against the amateur jockey was adjourned to await the outcome of surgery on the victim.

Police prosecutor Mark Chaplin asked for the matter to be adjourned to August 10 because of the possibility that more serious charges could be laid, dependent on the extent of the injuries suffered by the victim during the assault.

Mr Pearce also placed Mr Phillips on a two-year apprehended domestic violence order.