Former CT Surfer Chris Davidson’s Killer Sentenced

In September of 2022, former CT surfer Chris Davidson was killed in an altercation outside of a bar in South West Rocks, NSW.

You can read our report on the incident here.

Today, Grant Coleman, 43, a local roofer who pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing death and one count of assault, was sentenced to five years with a minimum of three years.

According to 9NEWS:

In his defence, Coleman claimed he had heard rumours about Davidson’s past behaviour with young girls and was trying to protect the community when he confronted him, but never intended to kill him.

“Mr Coleman felt justified in his attitude towards Mr Davidson,” the judge said. “He felt justified in taking the law into his own hands. He felt justified in punching Mr Davidson to the head. In Mr Coleman’s world view, he was something like the unofficial sheriff of South West Rocks and he determined who was and who was not acceptable for the town.

“I must say I do not doubt many in the local community would have agreed with him. Mr Davidson was more than a pest. He was, to Mr Coleman’s knowledge and belief, a serious and repeat abuser of young females. He had physically and emotionally abused a friend of Mr Coleman’s and damaged her property and traumatised her two young children but Mr Coleman took the law into his own hands.“

“He was judge and jury of Mr Davidson. Tragically, Mr Coleman also became Mr Davidson’s executioner.”

Davidson’s life was littered with complexity. He racked up a string of drunk-driving offenses over the years, one of which included a car accident he was lucky to survive.

If you’re interested in learning more about the complexity of Chris Davidson — a man raised in the substance abuse glorification era of pro surfing — you can also read ‘An Angel At My Table.’ It’s a long-form piece written in 2006, regarding Chris’ final shot at ‘the big time’ before professional oblivion.