The man who thew a bucket of sand at an A-League goalkeeper during a violent pitch invasion has won his appeal to have his jail term overturned.
Alex Agelopoulos, 24, launched the bucket at the head of Melbourne City goalie Tom Glover during the pitch incursion on December 17 last year.
Glover had to be taken to hospital just after the 20-minute mark of a derby match against Melbourne Victory, which was subsequently abandoned because of the violence.
Agelopoulos was sentenced to three months behind bars and a community corrections order for his role in the violent incident.
But he launched an appeal in the Victorian County Court, arguing it was unfair he was the only one of the pitch invaders to receive a prison term.
His barrister Dermot Dann said the court had failed to follow the fundamental principle of parity, in which offenders receive like sentences for like crimes.
Judge Mark Gamble agreed, finding that Agelopoulos' actions were not so significantly different to his co-offenders to warrant a term of imprisonment.
He instead re-sentenced the 24-year-old to a three-and-a-half-year community corrections order, with 350 hours of unpaid work.
Agelopoulos will also have to undergo drug and alcohol testing and treatment, as well as participate in a men's violence reduction program.
Judge Gamble warned Agelopoulos that it was his one chance to avoid time in prison and the future was in his hands.
"This was a serious offence and you should never forget that," the judge said.
"You have been given an opportunity to not go to jail - you should not waste it."
Judge Gamble also upheld the five-year football match banned handed down to Agelopoulos.
