Travis Bowling has sentence cut over bashing Ron Barassi Travis Bowling pictured outside court in 2011. THE mother of a man jailed for kicking Ron Barassi in the head during a violent New Year's Eve assault has apologised to the football legend. Three Court of Appeal judges today agreed to allow Travis Bowling's appeal against his conviction and sentence after prosecutors said the trial judge erred when saying the jury could take Barassi's memory loss into account when deciding if he suffered a "serious" injury. The Crown conceded Bowling's appeal against conviction should be allowed, the conviction on the charge of intentionally causing "serious" injury be set aside and a conviction for the lesser offence of intentionally causing injury be entered. A jury had found Bowling, now aged 30, guilty of two counts of intentionally causing serious injury - for punching a woman named Tess Green in Fitzroy St, St Kilda on New Year's Eve 2008 and for then kicking Barassi. Barassi, who was dining with his wife and others at the time, chased Bowling and tackled him to the ground after Ms Green was king hit. A group of young men kicked Barassi before Bowling got to his feet and repeatedly kicked the football great in the head. Barassi suffered bruising around his temple, left eye and ear and neck and bruising and swelling to his right cheek. Ron Barassi at his home in St Kilda. Bowling was originally sentenced to six years' jail with a four-year minimum. He only appealed against his conviction and sentence in relation to the charge involving Barassi. In the Court of Appeal judgment handed down today, Bowling had that charge downgraded to intentionally causing injury. His total sentence was cut to four years and four months with a two year and three month minimum. As he has already served 653 days he could be released on parole within months. " (The Crown) conceded that the evidence did not establish that any loss of memory by (Barassi) was a consequence of the assault," Justice Robert Redlich stated. No such evidence was adduced. Bowling had prior convictions for violence arising from drug use. While his sentencing judge had reservations about his prospects for rehabilitation he has since completed anger management and drug courses in jail. In delivering judgment today, Justice Redlich said of the assault on Barassi: "Those who come to the assistance of others are entitled to the full protection of the law. An assault caused by kicking to the head of the victim while he was on the ground and being kicked by others is a serious example of the offence of intentionally causing injury. (Bowling) is fortunate that Mr Barassi did not sustain more serious injuries. Justices Paul Coghlan and John Dixon agreed with the appeal decision. Outside court, Bowling's mother, Lisa Bowling, said she was sorry for Barassi and all concerned. She said her son was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was looking forward to getting his life back on track after his release from prison.