Police have charged a Kings Cross bouncer over a punch to an aggressive patron enraged over being denied entry at lock-out time.
Around 1:30 am Tuesday, 14 April, security at a hotel on William Street in Kings Cross refused two men entry. The men allegedly threw glass bottles toward the guards as they walked away.
The police were called and one of the guards approached the men and suggested they return to answer to police enquiries.
The men did return, and one of them challenged one of the guards to a fight.
The police report did not elaborate on the seriousness or force of the ‘challenge’ but does say the guard removed his reflective vest and jacket (presumably to free up his movement) and assumed a defensive posture.
Several air-swings were thrown by the would-be patron, and a counter-punch by the guard that broke the man’s nose and caused other facial injuries. He was treated by paramedics at the scene.
Two weeks later police determined to charge the guard with “reckless grievous bodily harm” and arrested him.
The accused man was granted conditional bail to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on 23 June, 2015.
While the aggressive behaviour of a patron (presumably intoxicated) does not justify violence on the part of security, who are likely to be both better prepared and sober, the incident does beg the question as to at what point are hospitality workers allowed to dutifully defend themselves.
