Matthew John Barbour pleads guilty to hurling cutlery and furniture during wild brawl at Noodle Sushi Bar

A man who installs security systems for a living was captured on CCTV in a violent brawl, a court has heard.

A Mount Gambier man who, during a wild restaurant brawl, hurled everything he could grab, says it was a case of “wrong place, wrong time”.

Matthew John Barbour, 38, got into a violent altercation at Mount Gambier‘s Noodle Sushi Bar after spotting the man who had attacked him earlier that day.

Barbour told the court he was attacked by a group of three men on October 15, 2021.

Matthew John Barbour pleaded guilty to affray after getting into a wild brawl at the Mount Gambier Noodle Sushi Bar. Picture: Arj Ganesan

“I was by myself,” Barbour said.

“They had been to one of their brother’s funeral — and they were intoxicated.”

The group set upon the accused rendering him to the ground before kicking him several times, the court heard.

The matter was reported to the police, but the defendant decided not to press charges wishing to “wash” his hands of the incident.

Just before 8pm the same day, the accused found himself face-to-face with his earlier attackers.

“I was out at the Noodle Sushi Bar sitting in the seat by myself ordering food — the person that assaulted me that day came up and grabbed the chair next to me,” Barbour said.

A police prosecutor told the court two customers and four staff were present when the fight unfolded.

The Mount Gambier Noodle Sushi Bar. Picture: Arj Ganesan

“The defendant can be seen on the CCTV gesturing at the other two parties,” she said

“In regards to the CCTV footage, it did show that the other person involved in it was the aggressor.”

Barbour threw a flurry of five punches, hurled cutlery, a bottle of soy sauce and a chair at his alleged attacker, a court has heard.

He also armed himself with a butter knife in each hand, before throwing one knife at the group and discarding the other.

Appearing in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court on Thursday unrepresented Barbour pleaded guilty to one count of affray.

He was also charged with aggravated assault, however the charge has since been dropped.

Barbour told the court it was a case of “wrong place, wrong time” and hoped the court would not record a conviction as he is self employed, supplying security systems to the mining industries.

The defendant told the court he had previously struggled with alcohol but had been seeking treatment and had engaged with the New Roads program.

“I can't actually have a security license to install any security cameras on any residential business with an assault on my record,” Barbour said.

Magistrate Koula Kossiavelos said she would normally record a conviction, but has decided to hold off on making a decision as he was a “family man with four children”.

Ms Kossiavelos said the accused would have to provide the court with proof of his employment and documentation from the New Roads program before she will consider not recording a conviction.

Barbour will next front court in June where he will learn his fate.