Matthew Maddin sentenced for Tannum Sands Hotel assault
The moments which led to a concreter delivering a blow that put a man in hospital and needing facial stitches have been revealed, along with his penalty.
Police & Courts
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A Central Queensland concreter who put another man in hospital with one pub punch was “no stranger to having fights”, a court has heard.
Matthew Harry Lawrence Maddin, 34, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court to assault occasioning bodily harm.
The court heard that on March 24 last year, Maddin was involved in an incident at the Tannum Sands Hotel.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Merrilyn Hoskins said initially a group of men got into what was like “a rugby scrum” and the court heard Maddin got involved to “pull people away” and he was not the aggressor.
Sgt Hoskins said after this incident, Maddin sat down and was looking at another male patron.
“And (Maddin) is quite twitchy, he keeps tapping his foot on the ground and he seems to be quite worked up,” Sgt Hoskins said.
“And then there comes this point where he just rushes across and punches (the other man) in the face.”
The court heard the assault victim was taken to hospital where he got four stitches to a mouth wound and he also suffered teeth injuries.
The court heard Maddin had a two-page criminal history which included a previous AOBH offence, drug offending, as well as two public nuisance in licensed premises offences.
“He’s not a stranger to having fights or being disorderly while inebriated,” Sgt Hoskins said.
“Obviously alcohol figures in a large part of his life.”
The prosecution sought $1500 compensation for the victim.
Solicitor Stacey O’Gorman said Maddin was a concreter and a father of one.
She said on the night of the incident, Maddin had been at the pub drinking and was having a good night.
Ms O’Gorman said prior to the assault, the victim had been gesturing to Maddin and shouting things to him.
She said it was only when the victim then gave Maddin “the finger” that he lost his temper and threw the punch.
Ms O’Gorman said Maddin had not been back to the Tannum Sands Hotel since this incident.
Magistrate Mary Buchanan sentenced Maddin to nine months’ jail with immediate parole.
She also ordered he pay $1500 compensation to the victim and a conviction was recorded.
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