Angkamuthi Charlie sentenced for Crystalbrook Hotel assault

A star Central Queensland football player has been sentenced for his role in the gang bashing of a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) officer at a hotel.

Angkamuthi Charlie has been sentenced in a Gladstone court for bashing an RSA officer at the Crystalbrook Hotel in Cairns. Generic image.

A star football player has been sentenced for his role in the gang bashing of an official at a Queensland hotel.

Angkamuthi Charlie, 21, appeared in custody in Gladstone Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to numerous charges including assault occasioning bodily harm in company.

The court heard that on the night of June 5, CCTV footage captured Charlie and at least three other males, assaulting a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) officer at the Crystalbrook Hotel in Cairns.

The victim had been patrolling at the time and had tried to stop an altercation between two males, the court heard.

It was told Charlie struck the victim “multiple times” with his fist, and the victim sustained lacerations and bruising as a result.

Gladstone Courthouse.

The court heard Charlie had a “limited” criminal history.

Solicitor Bianca Wieland said this was the first time Charlie had been in custody and he’d previously had an AFL scholarship and worked as a tree lopper.

The court heard that Charlie was such a talented footballer that a coach in Gladstone thought he had the ability to play professionally.

Ms Wieland said on the night of the incident, Charlie had gone out drinking and was upset following a death in the family.

On July 24, Magistrate Mary Buchanan sentenced Charlie to nine months’ jail, declared 31 days’ pre-sentence custody as time already served, and fixed parole at August 23, 2024.

Convictions were recorded.