Vegas Flynn O’Rourke: Law student punches Star Gold Coast casino security guard

A 18th birthday celebration at Star Gold Coast’s casino turned sour after a law student punched a security guard escorting him away from the building. Read what happened in court.

Vegas Flynn O’Rourke, 21, pleaded guilty in the Southport District Court on July 17 to two counts of serious assault person performing lawful duty. Picture: Emily Walker

A law student who threw punches at Star Gold Coast casino security while celebrating his sister’s birthday was at a one point restrained by five guards.

Vegas Flynn O’Rourke, 21, pleaded guilty in the Southport District Court on July 17 to two counts of serious assault person performing lawful duty.

The court heard the law student was at the Star Gold Coast casino with his parents and sister to celebrate his sister’s 18th birthday on August 28, 2024.

Around 9pm, O’Rourke caught the attention of security and two security officers approached him at the gambling tables.

The court heard O’Rourke became aggressive and argumentative towards the officers and he was asked to leave.

The court heard O’Rourke was asked to leave Star Casino while celebrating his sister’s birthday.

While being ushered out by security, O’Rourke became aggressive and four security officers had to become involved to escort him from the premises.

The court heard that at one point, O’Rourke’s father yelled at the officers to let O’Rourke go. He was also escorted out by security.

When outside, O’Rourke began thrashing about causing a scuffle.

At this point, five security officers were involved.

A 59-year-old security officer pushed O’Rourke against a fence to stop him from assaulting another officer.

The court heard O’Rourke’s father pulled the 59-year-old back, causing the man to lose his grip on O’Rourke.

O’Rourke punched the man twice in the face before both he and his father were restrained on the ground.

The court heard O’Rourke punched a 59-year-old security guard twice in the face. Picture: Emily Walker

His father was later released once he became compliant but O’Rourke remained restrained in a crucifix position for approximately 37 minutes, being verbally abusive and making threats to harm the security officers once released.

While restrained, he spat on the arm and hand of another security officer.

He was later taken to the police watch house before being released on bail.

The court heard the security officer who was punched suffered a black eye.

Judge Jennifer Rosengren said O’Rourke made “a right old nuisance” of himself on his sister’s birthday.

“It must have been a wonderful celebration for her, wasn’t it?” she said. “You ended up on her birthday being taken into custody. I feel very sorry for her that an 18th celebration should be wrecked by your behaviour.”

CCTV footage of O’Rourke punching the security guard and the scuffle that occurred was played in court.

His defence barrister James Marxon told the court the altercation was instigated by a misunderstanding from his client.

He said there was some sort of interaction between a security manager and Mr O’Rourke’s father when they were outside.

He pointed to the footage showing O’Rourke turning around and said there was a look of concern on O’Rourke’s face before the punch was thrown.

Judge Rosengren said this was not the correct characterisation of the incident.

O’Rourke leaving the Southport Courthouse. Emily Walker

“He started it,” she said. “And the very fact there needed to be so many security guards around him says something about his behaviour and also the behaviour of his father.”

The court heard O’Rourke, who is working at his parent’s business while studying a law degree at Griffiths University, made an offer of compensation to the two security officers impacted and completed three sessions of an anger management program.

Judge Rosengren noted O’Rourke’s apology letter and accepted he was remorseful but said he clearly has anger management problems.

She noted the courts often see young men like him committing acts of violence while angry and using alcohol.

“In some ways I wish a group of school kids could sit in the back here and see what alcohol does because there’s nothing really glamorous about it, is there?” she said.

She decided to give O’Rourke the opportunity to not go to jail but warned him of the consequences if he returned to court for similar conduct.

O’Rourke was ordered to complete 180 hours of community service within 12 months.

He must also pay the two impact security guards $1500 each in compensation.

No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Vegas Flynn O’Rourke: Law student punches Star Gold Coast casino security guard