Kalloom Johnson jailed for Gladstone ‘coward punch’ attack

Just a month after being given a suspended jail sentence for a hammer attack, this man “coward punched” an interstate visitor outside a Central Queensland hotel and he’s now paying the price.

Kalloom Juan Johnson (inset) was jailed in Gladstone Magistrates Court.

A man who “coward punched” an interstate visitor outside a Central Queensland hotel while on a suspended jail sentence, is now behind bars.

Kalloom Juan Johnson, 24, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court to one count of assault occasioning bodily harm.

The court heard that on the evening of April 11 last year, multiple fights started outside Gladstone Reef Hotel.

It was told the male victim in this matter had been trying to separate people when he was “coward punched” from behind by Johnson while he was not looking, causing him to fall.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Merrilyn Hoskins said the victim, who was visiting from Victoria, did not know Johnson at all and he suffered contusions to an eye from the blow.

Sgt Hoskins described Johnson’s attack as “uncontrolled rage.”

The court heard Johnson had a two-page criminal history which included an offence where he threatened a person with a hammer (going armed to cause fear).

Kalloom Juan Johnson.

For that hammer attack, which also included a dangerous operation of a vehicle offence, Johnson was sentenced in Gladstone Magistrates Court in March, 2024, to six months’ jail, wholly suspended for an operational period of 18 months.

For the Reef Hotel assault, Sgt Hoskins submitted Kalloom’s prior suspended sentence should be fully activated because it was similar offending.

“(Kalloom’s) behaviour is not decreasing,” Sgt Hoskins said.

Solicitor Bianca Wieland said Johnson, born and raised in Gladstone, had previously worked for a refrigeration company but he was unable to complete his apprenticeship there and was now on Jobseeker Allowance and doing part-time work.

She said he was affected by alcohol on the night of the Reef Hotel incident and he didn’t have a clear recollection of it.

Ms Wieland said since that night, Johnson had “significantly reduced his drinking.”

During sentencing, Magistrate Mary Buchanan said Johnson had thrown a “coward punch” and the penalty must reflect community denunciation of alcohol-fuelled violence.

She sentenced Johnson to six months’ jail and activated the suspended sentence in full to be served cumulatively, fixing parole release at July 26, 2025.

A conviction was recorded.