Graeme Simpson in court over neighbour dispute with hotel proprietors

A neighbour dispute between a man and the proprietors of a Central Queensland hotel has ended up in court - here’s why.

Graeme Robert Simpson, 53, was sentenced in Gladstone Magistrates Court after a dispute with the proprietors of Miriam Vale Hotel. Generic image.

A man’s dispute with the proprietors of a Central Queensland hotel has landed him in court.

Graeme Robert Simpson, 53, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court to using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.

The court heard that on April 5, police were called to a “neighbour dispute” at Miriam Vale twice, involving Simpson and the two proprietors of Miriam Vale Hotel.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Merrilyn Hoskins said officers saw that Simpson was intoxicated and belligerent.

“He (Simpson) told police to f**k off when they went to talk to him,” Sgt Hoskins said.

The prosecutor said the following morning, the male victim attended Miriam Vale Police Station and reported that he had received abusive text messages from Simpson which he showed to police.

In the text messages, Simpson swore and called the victim a “c**t” and said he “took it hard up the ar**.”

Sgt Hoskins said the victim did not reply to Simpson’s text messages.

Simpson had a one-entry criminal history.

Solicitor Jun Pepito said Simpson had been verbally abused during the dispute and he had called police several times.

Mr Pepito said Simpson had since relocated.

Magistrate Mary Buchanan fined Simpson $750 and a conviction was recorded.