Harley Foye-Flanagan, Riley Phillips-Powell in court for public nuisance

Booze and State of Origin rugby league sparked taxi rank drama outside a Central Queensland nightclub, and police officers were in the firing line.

Gladstone's Mieplace Niteclub.

Two men have faced court after they were involved in post-State of Origin drama outside a Central Queensland nightclub.

Harley David Foye-Flanagan, 23, and Riley James Brian Phillips-Powell, 19, appeared separately in Gladstone Magistrates Court.

Foye-Flanagan pleaded guilty to public nuisance and obstructing police - both in the vicinity of a licensed premises.

Phillips-Powell pleaded guilty to public nuisance in the vicinity of a licensed premises.

In relation to Foye-Flanagan, the court heard about 2.20am on May 29, police were patrolling the Gladstone Safe Night Precinct when they saw a large group of people gathered around a taxi rank in Goondoon Street near Mieplace Niteclub.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Merrilyn Hoskins said two men were having an argument when Foye-Flanagan walked from the opposite side of the road and stood close to them.

Sgt Hoskins said when police spoke to the two men, Foye-Flanagan stood in the middle of the road before approaching police “with his arms raised” and pushing an officer in the chest.

“In an attempt to stop the police from approaching the two males,” Sgt Hoskins said.

A short time later, while police were standing near a police car with an arrested man inside, Foye-Flanagan yelled and swore at them, calling them “f***ing dogs” and “c**ts”.

Police told Foye-Flanagan a number of times to get in the car and he replied “Lock me up, c**ts” and continued to yell and swear, the court heard.

Gladstone Courthouse.

Sgt Hoskins said Foye-Flanagan continued to “violently resist” police while they were trying to handcuff him.

He was eventually put in the back of a police car and taken to the watch-house.

Foye-Flanagan had a one-entry criminal history.

Solicitor Jun Pepito said Foye-Flanagan was a carpenter and, on the night of the offending, he had been watching State of Origin rugby league and drinking at a friend’s place before they went out and “things escalated.”

In relation to Phillips-Powell, Sgt Hoskins said he, during the same incident near Mieplace Niteclub, had stood in the middle of the road and gestured towards others in an aggressive manner.

Sgt Hoskins said fights started and Phillips-Powell pushed and shoved other people.

Phillips-Powell had no criminal history.

Mr Pepito also represented Phillips-Powell, saying he was a boilermaker.

Magistrate Mary Buchanan fined Foye-Flanagan $1200 and Phillips-Powell $700.

No conviction was recorded for either of the men.