Warren Miles Mars assaulted security guards at Lee Kernaghan concert near Mount Gambier

A Lee Kernaghan concert near Mount Gambier has ended in a conviction for an international musician who refused to leave the dance floor.

The Barn at OB Flat on the outskirts on Mount Gambier where Warren Miles Mars assaulted two security guards. Picture: The Barn

An international musician who assaulted two security guards in a dance floor altercation at a Lee Kernaghan concert has been handed a conviction.

Warren Miles Mars, 59, was charged witth the assaults following the incident, which occurred at The Barn Palais at OB Flat on September 19, 2019.

The Portland man fronted the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty in July last year.

Warren Miles Mars. Picture: Warren Mars LinkedIn

The court heard guests at the concert – held on the outskirts of Mount Gambier – were asked not to dance while a meal was served but Mars ignored the request and when he was asked to leave the dance floor he became agitated.

A police prosecutor alleged Mars hip-and-shouldered one security guard during the altercation and pushed him into music equipment, before punching him in the face.

A second security guard intervened, who Mars also attempted to punch, connecting with his cheek.

The pair eventually restrained their assaulter until police arrived.

The court heard the first victim had experienced increased anxiety since the assault.

Citing past offending including an assault in Victoria, the police prosecutor argued for a conviction and suspended sentence.

He said it was all too often security guards were assaulted while doing their jobs.

Mars’ defence lawyer said the classic Irish musician was a respected member of the Portland arts community often playing in aged care facilities and argued a conviction could prevent him performing abroad.

Magistrate Maria Panagiotidis said Mars “should know better”.

“He’s a man who works in the very industry he’s disrupted,” she said.

“This is a person who performed all over the world and he’s attended a venue here and not behaved in the way expected.”

Magistrate Panagiotidis accepted the offending was out of character, recording a conviction and placing Mars on a six month good behaviour bond at $500 plus court fees.

The first victim was also granted $24.95 compensation for an ear piece that was damaged in the assault.