GUARD KILLED IN ‘COWARD PUNCH’ IN SUTHERLAND

A hotel patron has been charged over the ‘coward punch’ death of a security guard, following an alleged assault outside a Sutherland pub.

Emergency services were summoned to the Royal Hotel around 2am Sunday morning, told 30-year-old security guard Mousa Alzaher had been injured.

The guard had allegedly been punched in the head by a patron, after the person was asked to leave the hotel on East Parade. 

Alzaher was found unresponsive, and although police attempted CPR and paramedics treated him, he died at the scene.

Police cordoned off the hotel and have launched an investigation into the circumstances.

31-year-old Brian Edmund Brown, from Peakhurst, was detained and taken to Sutherland police station. Later on Sunday he was charged with assault occasioning death, under the state’s ‘coward punch’ legislation.

Authorities say the altercation was witnessed by a number of other people and that there was no weapon involved. CCTV footage, it’s said, will be “crucial” to the investigation.

Brown was refused bail, to appear before Sutherland Local Court the following day.

The matter saw mention today and the defendant’s lawyer did not request release. The case was adjourned by Magistrate Philip Stewart to 23 April.

Alzaher moved to Australia from Saudi Arabia, to study and work. His family have been notified of his passing.

“It’s just a tragedy all ‘round,” expressed Commander Craig Middleton. “For the families involved, for the people at the hotel, for the emergency services.”

Operator of the pub, Purkis Hotels, issued a statement on social media on Sunday.

“The Royal Hotel Sutherland is deeply saddened by the tragic events that transpired in the early hours of this morning.

“The entire management and staff of the hotel extend our heartfelt condolences and stand in solidarity with the family during this difficult time.”