Larry Colin McIntyre pleads guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm

A magistrate has told a pensioner the “community will not tolerate acts of violence” after he took it upon himself to help protect a stranger during a shopping centre stoush.

A 66-year-old pensioner, who grabbed a metal bar to help protect another senior from a young aggressor at Bundaberg’s Hinkler Central Shopping Centre, ended up being charged with a criminal offence.

Larry Colin McIntyre pleaded guilty in Bundaberg Magistrates Court to assault occasioning bodily harm while armed.

While his lawyer Craig Ryan argued his client was acting as a “good Samaritan”, Magistrate Edwina Rowan told the court the “community will not tolerate acts of violence”.

The court heard McIntyre had just finished his shopping and was heading down to the underground carpark when he saw an altercation between a man in his 30s and another older man in March.

On hearing the younger man challenging the older male to a fight and fearing for his safety, McIntyre grabbed a metal bar from his car and told the younger man to leave the scene.

However, the younger man then advanced towards McIntyre who responded by striking him a number of times across the ribs and forearm.

The victim did not require medical treatment.

The court heard McIntyre carried the weapon in his car out of fear for his own safety following a previous assault.

McIntyre told police he was aware what he did was wrong but he felt there had not been enough time to contact the proper authorities to help the older man.

He remained co-operative with the police and the court heard that he took the first opportunity to plead guilty to the charge.

He was fined $1500 and a conviction was recorded.