Callan Leonard David Groth in court over Queenslander chilli attack

A Friday night crowd at a pub in regional Queensland had to be evacuated after an inexplicable attack left them debilitated and vomiting.

Callan Leonard David Groth has narrowly escaped actual time behind bars for releasing a chilli spray in Gympie’s Queenslander Hotel, leaving patrons sick and vomiting.

A father-of-five has narrowly escaped actual time behind bars after he released a chilli spray in a Gympie pub, leaving patrons sick and vomiting and forcing everyone to evacuate.

Gympie Magistrates Court heard on Monday Callan Leonard David Groth, 36, entered the Queenslander Hotel in Mary St on the night of Friday, August 5.

Upon walking into the club Groth went downstairs to the toilets and began spraying the substance around.

He then returned to the main bar room and continued releasing the spray as he walked across the dance floor.

The court heard the spray left patrons and workers coughing, with burning sensations in their eyes, noses and throats, headaches, nausea, and blood shot eyes.

One victim, who had an allergy to chilli, was left vomiting for 10 minutes after their their nose and throat swelled up in reaction to the spray.

Groth pleaded guilty to seven assault charges all against different victims.

Callan Leonard David Groth pleaded guilty to seven counts of assault after unleashing chilli spray around the Queensland Hotel at Gympie, leaving patrons sick.

Police prosecutor Vicki Kennedy-Grills called his behaviour an “act of stupidity”.

Solicitor Greg Wildie said his client had worked hard to turn his life around in the six years since he had last come before the courts for drug-related offences.

In that time he had married, stayed away from drugs and started his own business, a campground at Pie Creek.

“He may well have thrown it all away with one (action),” Mr Wildie said.

Magistrate Chris Callaghan covered a range of adjectives in describing Groth’s actions during the sentencing, including “outrageous”, “vindictive”, “vicious”, “nasty” and “stupid”.

One key detail still remained missing though.

“No reason has been given to me as to why (Groth) did it,” Mr Callaghan said.

He sentenced Groth to eight months’ jail, released him on parole immediately and ordering him to pay $2800 compensation ($400 for each victim).

Groth was banned from entering the Queenslander Hotel for two years.