Nightclub brawl leaves brothers banned from Roma pubs

Two young men paid the price for their involvement in a nightclub fight when they were banned from every bar in the western Queensland town.

Desmond and Matthew Waites received banning orders in the Roma Magistrates Court.

TWO brothers involved in an alcohol-fuelled street fight outside a Roma bar have been banned from all pubs in town.

Matthew Waites, 24, pleaded guilty to one charge of affray in public place while adversely affected by intoxicating substance, and younger brother Desmond Waites, 20, pleaded guilty to one charge of commit public nuisance in the vicinity of a licensed premises, in the Roma Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The court heard, at 3.15am November 16, 2019, the pair left The Zone nightclub on Charles St, where the they tried to engage in a fight with another partygoer, before security moved them on.

Despite the direction from security, the brothers continued to be aggressive with other patrons.

Police ProsecutorJodie Tahana said Matthew went to punch another man, and Desmond got in to another altercation, punching his victim with enough force that he hit the ground and was knocked unconscious.

When police, security and bystanders stepped in to stop Desmond, Matthew pushed a third man in to the fight.

The defence claimed Matthew was trying to defend his younger brother, and that alcohol was to blame for his behaviour.

Desmond's defence said he accepted the facts, but Desmond claimed the other parties agitated the situation.

For his involvement in the incident, Desmond was issued with a 12 month banning order from all licensed premises in Roma, and issued with a $900 fine.

Magistrate Saggers considered Matthew's involvement to be greater, and said he could have faced a prison term.

"This is a more serious charge, and you also have a previous conviction for violence," he said.

"This is a criminal charge where prison is considered, but you are showing remorse, so there will be a requirement for community service … I will give you this benefit because you are gainfully employed."

Matthew was issued a 12 month banning order from all licensed premises in Roma, and assigned 160 hours of community service.

No conviction was recorded for either of the brothers.

Originally published as Nightclub brawl leaves brothers banned from Roma pubs