Gladstone court sentences workmates for brutal pub attack

Shocking blow-by-blow details of how two bricklayer workmates executed a brutal and terrifying late-night attack on two lone pub staff - one a woman - have been revealed for the first time.

Rhys Paul Finco (left) and Zachary John Patrick Stringer (inset) were sentenced in Gladstone Magistrates Court on November 15.

Shocking details of how two bricklayer workmates terrorised two lone pub staffers in a “protracted” 18-minute late-night attack, have been heard in court.

Zachary John Patrick Stringer, 24, and Rhys Paul Finco, 33, were drinking in a gaming area at the Tannum Sands Hotel on August 28, when at 10pm they were the only patrons left at the venue.

A female bar attendant told the pair they couldn’t take their drinks outside to smoke, but they ignored her.

The bar attendant told the only other staffer in the pub at the time, and he told Stringer and Finco to put out their cigarettes and bring their drinks inside.

A short time later, Stringer started making loud grunting “animal type noises”, approached the bar to order drinks, and the female bar attendant refused to serve him because of his level of intoxication, the Gladstone Magistrates Court heard.

Stringer started arguing with the female bar attendant and the male staffer explained that once someone was refused service, policy required them to leave the venue.

Finco got up off his seat and said: “We’re not going to have this problem again are we?”

The male staffer tried to defuse the situation by giving Stringer and Finco five minutes to finish their drinks before they needed to leave.

Stringer continued to make noises, comments and counted down “3-2-1” numerous times, the court heard.

The male staffer then told the pair he would not forcibly remove them, he would “just call police”.

The male staffer radioed the manager and asked him to call police because Stringer and Finco refused to leave.

The male staffer was alarmed when he saw Stringer with his hand in his pocket, believing he had a weapon.

Stringer moved towards the male staffer who defended himself by tackling Stringer to the floor.

Rhys Paul Finco (left) and Zachary John Patrick Stringer (inset).

The male staffer placed Stringer in a hold and patted his pockets, feeling for weapons.

Finco then came from the bistro and started to push the male staffer, who backed into a corner so that Stringer and Finco could not attack him from behind, the court heard.

When Stringer got to his feet, he punched the male staffer in the face, the court was told.

Finco then joined in and pushed the male worker multiple times.

The female bar attendant saw Stringer and Finco fighting the male staffer and she attempted to come to his aid.

Finco pushed the female staffer away multiple times and then returned to the male staffer to continue the attack.

Stringer and Finco punched the male worker to the head and the body, the court heard.

Stringer put a small Keno pencil between his fingers with the pointy end protruding, clenched his fist and punched the male staffer in the head, the court was told.

Stringer also struck the female staffer in the side of the face with the pencil, causing her to bleed.

Stringer then struck the woman in the face with a closed-fist punch and they wrestled.

The female staffer grabbed a chair and Stringer punched her several times in the face.

Stringer also smashed electronic equipment that was on a counter, causing irreparable damage.

Finco picked up a dining chair and struck the male staffer with it numerous times, causing the chair to break on impact, the court heard.

The two staff members then retreated to the kitchen for refuge.

The male staffer leant against the kitchen door to stop Stringer and Finco from entering.

Finco used another dining chair to smash the glass panels on the door, narrowly missing the male staffer’s face.

Finco then started banging the kitchen door.

The male staffer told his female colleague to move to a back room, and both Stringer and Finco kicked and rammed the kitchen door in a bid to get in.

The male staffer then moved to the back room with his colleague and locked the door.

Stringer and Finco followed and tried to get into that back room by shoulder barging and hitting the door.

Finco then used a chair to put a large hole in the wall before hitting the back room door with it until that chair broke into pieces.

Gladstone Courthouse.

While in the back room, the two staffers watched on monitors as Stringer took two knives from the kitchen prep area and return to stand at the door, the court heard.

The staffers then heard Stringer rubbing the knives together.

In fear, the workers called out and reminded the attackers that police had been called and were on their way.

Stringer and Finco then walked from the kitchen and left the venue.

Police and ambulance crews arrived soon after and the two staffers were treated at the scene.

Stringer and Finco were sentenced together in Gladstone Magistrates Court on November 15.

Stringer pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm while armed/in company, assault occasioning bodily harm while armed/in company in a public place while intoxicated, entering premises and commit indictable offence, and failing to leave a licensed premises.

Finco pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm while armed/in company in a public place while intoxicated, common assault in a public place while intoxicated, entering premises and commit indictable offence, and failing to leave a licensed premises.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Tanya Griffiths said the attack on the pub workers was “extremely frightening and prolonged”, lasting for 17 to 18 minutes.

“There were numerous opportunities for the defendants to leave, yet they chose to stay and persist with their disgraceful behaviour,” Sgt Griffiths said.

Representing Stringer, who had no criminal history, solicitor Jun Pepito said his client had written an apology letter in which he stated he was ashamed of his actions, and that was tendered to the court.

Mr Pepito said Stringer was living in the Bundaberg area.

Representing Finco, who also had no criminal history, solicitor Rio Ramos said he was a father and his mother had travelled from Melbourne to support him in court.

Ms Ramos said Finco, a bricklayer since he was 16, had been living at Bundaberg for the past three years after his partner was employed there.

Ms Ramos said Finco and Stringer worked for the same company and Finco conceded alcohol had always been an issue for him in the past.

The solicitor said Finco accepted he reacted poorly on the night of the incident and in fact, he overreacted, and was embarrassed at what he did.

Magistrate Mary Buchanan sentenced Stringer to 12 months’ jail with immediate parole release and ordered he perform 40 hours of unpaid community service.

She also fined him $300, and ordered he pay $1000 compensation as well as $5097 restitution.

Ms Buchanan sentenced Finco to 12 months’ jail with immediate parole release and ordered he perform 80 hours of unpaid community service.

She also fined him $300, and ordered he pay $750 compensation as well as $943 restitution.

Both men had convictions recorded.