In vivid contrast to the shuttered venues of NSW and Victoria, the stresses of pandemic life have helped a few too many Queenslanders into court for anti-social behaviour.
Enjoying a night out at the Globe Hotel, 20-year-old Bundaberg man Jackson Paulson left with a broken jaw after 30-year-old Gracemere man Aaron Joshua Voisey punched him from behind.
The two men were at the pub in July 2018, separately but with friends, when Voisey was asked to leave just after midnight. An argument broke out when Voisey accused Paulson of laughing at him for trying to buy drinks.
Paulson and his partner were confronted by him outside the pub, where Voisey abused Paulson’s partner and “pushing and shoving” ensued. They were separated, but Voisey turned and charged again, hitting the man in the right side of the face. Witnesses reported the “crack” of the blow, and Paulson fell, bleeding heavily.
The assailant fled the scene, but later admitted the assault to officers, claiming self-defence after being set upon by a group and being struck first. He was released at the time without charge.
The victim incurred a fractured jaw, which had to be surgically repaired, incorporating four screws and three plates. He was unable to eat solid food for six weeks and lost his job.
Voisey relocated to Rockhampton, and when questioned by police maintained self-defence from a group. On 11 June he was charged with grievous bodily harm in a public place while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance.
He appeared in Brisbane District Court late August, where he offered he is the sole provider for his child and ex-partner, produced two character references and pleaded guilty.
The prosecutor stressed the defendant’s return to the scuffle and surprise attack on an unprepared person. “Any hot-blooded feelings should have well and truly had time to calm down.”
Voisey was convicted, sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment with immediate parole, and ordered to pay $2,000 in compensation to Paulson.
In late May police were called to the Horse and Jockey Hotel Motel, finding 28-year-old Beau James Fogarty in the beer garden with a Stanley knife. The man told officers he had been provoked and armed himself with the blade because he was outnumbered, but soon fought back.
“If I’m going to get locked up for something, I might as well go to jail for murder,” he yelled, according to witnesses.
Searching him, police also found 1.7g of ice and two glass pipes. He was given the option to go home and face further questions at a later date, but he continued to threaten violence and was taken to the station.
Fogarty was already on probation over a Taser-like weapon that could fire a small electric shock found at his home, which he claimed could have been his mother’s.
Facing court he pleaded guilty to possessing a knife in a public place and unlawful possession of a weapon, possessing dangerous drugs and drug utensils, and contravening a probation order. The court heard he suffers Tourette syndrome and had not been taking his prescription medication.
Magistrate Rob Turra fined Fogarty $300 and sentenced him to nine months’ jail – with immediate release on parole, under strict control and supervision of the probation office, so long as he agrees to “play ball”.
“If you stuff up again, you’re going to jail,” said Turra.
Meanwhile, Queensland security guard and father-to-be Haimona Tawha may lose his sight after an assault by a drunk patron at Logan’s Windaroo Tavern in late August.
According to police, the attacker had allegedly slapped a man outside the Tavern, and the 28-year-old guard suffered head and facial injuries during the fracas that followed.
He is being treated in Logan Hospital, and it’s understood doctors will be required to remove his right eye in a bid to save vision in his left eye.
Tawha and his partner are expecting their first child in coming months, and friends have set up a GoFundMe campaign in support of his family. To date it has raised just over $68k.
The 21-year-old alleged assailant faces a string of charges, including assault occasioning bodily harm while intoxicated, and is due to face Beenleigh Magistrates Court 28 September.
