Bundaberg man Warren Clyde Hadden pleads guilty to public nuisance charge

A man’s ‘derogatory’ comments about his niece’s gender transition ‘escalated significantly’ when the 55-year-old was stabbed and had the tip of his finger bitten off when he went to his niece’s house.

Warren Clyde Hadden appeared at the Bundaberg Magistrates Court.

An argument over a family member’s gender transition “escalated significantly” and ended with a 55-year-old receiving a stab wound and having the tip of his finger bitten off.

Warren Clyde Hadden, 55, pleaded guilty to one count of public nuisance at Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Monday November, 20 2023.

The court was told Hadden had gone to his niece’s house in August to settle a disagreement between them.

Defence lawyer Rian Dwyer told the court the dispute stemmed from when Hadden made “derogatory” comments about his niece’s gender transition from a man into a woman at a family gathering where the niece was not present.

The court heard the niece heard the comments, and confronted Hadden via text.

“He’s (Hadden) not the person who started the text message battle, he hadn’t had contact with [his nephew] for a number of years,” Mr Dwyer told the court.

“He (Hadden) received a text message from [him] (the nephew) essentially having a go at him about the comment ... things have escalated significantly from there.”

In an attempt to discuss the matter face-to-face, the court was told Hadden went to the niece’s home on August 4, 2023.

Prosecutor Leon Casey told the court the situation quickly out of control when Hadden’s niece walked out on the street with a kitchen knife, and the pair fought.

“The defendant then received a minor stab wound to the chest, which received two stitches,” Mr Casey said.

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“The tip of his finger on his right hand had been bitten off by the other person ... who was gouged in the eye in the struggle.”

Mr Casey submitted to the court “justice had somewhat been served” due to the nature of the injuries Hadden received in the fight.

Magistrate John McInnes addressed Hadden and said the “unusual set of circumstances” of the offending complicated matters.

“You were injured and not trivially, and it was the other party who brought a knife to a wrestling match,” he said.

“The other party may in fact be more morally culpable in the circumstances.”

Hadden was sentenced to a three-month $100 good behaviour bond and convictions were not recorded.

Hadden’s niece was charged with public nuisance as a result of the incident.