Tradie ejected for allegedly groping women at Gladstone nightclub

A tradie, kicked out of Central Queensland nightclub for groping multiple women, can’t remember what happened between drinking vodka Red Bulls and “waking up in the watch-house”, a court has heard.

Shannon Phillip Reynolds, 37, has faced Gladstone court for his behaviour at Mieplace Niteclub.

A drunk tradesman was ejected from a Gladstone nightclub after “several” women complained he had groped them, a court has heard.

Shannon Phillip Reynolds, 37, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court on July 17 to one count each of being disorderly at a licensed premises, and public nuisance.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Kevin Ongheen said about 2am on June 18, staff from the ChaplainWatch service went to Gladstone Police Station to report Reynolds had been ejected from MiePlace Niteclub and was “passed out” in a garden bed nearby.

“The chaplaincy service reported that prior to (Reynolds) passing out, he was aggressive and abusive towards them,” Sgt Ongheen said.

The court heard police attended the nightclub and while waiting for Queensland Ambulance Service to arrive, they spoke with security.

Mieplace Niteclub at Gladstone.

“Mieplace security staff stated that (Reynolds) had been removed from the premises after they were approached by several female patrons, due to (Reynolds) inappropriately touching them,” Sgt Ongheen said.

“Staff stated that (Reynolds) was heavily intoxicated and they were forced to forcibly remove him from the premises.”

The court heard that when Reynolds woke, he abused police and ambulance staff and the public nuisance charge related to his behaviour after he was taken to Gladstone Hospital.

Sgt Ongheen said at the hospital, Reynolds was verbally abusive towards hospital staff and he continually used “foul language”.

Reynolds’ lawyer said his client was a single man who worked as a bricklayer, had no recollection of the incidents and he wished to plead guilty because he did not question the versions of events given by authorities.

He said Reynolds was “a totally broken man” because “he can’t believe what the (police) facts say.”

“Totally out of character – he’s got no history of violence, no history of drug abuse,” the lawyer said.

“He remembers going out to the nightclub, having two Vodka Red Bulls and then waking up in the watch-house.”

Magistrate Mary Buchanan accepted that Reynolds was “completely remorseful” and “ashamed” for what he had done.

She fined him $1000 and did not record a conviction.