Paul Anthony Richard Owens jailed for pub brawl outside Tara Hotel
A 37-year-old man has been jailed after his drunken actions at a rural pub sent people running for cover in nearby businesses.
Police & Courts
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A 37-year-old Tara man has been jailed after a violent pub brawl, where he pushed a woman over to get to another man, was caught on CCTV.
Paul Anthony Richard Owens appeared in Gympie Magistrates Court via video link on Monday, where he pleaded guilty to committing a public nuisance at the Commercial Hotel in Tara on December 4, 2021.
Owens’ lawyer was not present at the time of his appearance, so he appeared unrepresented.
The court heard police were called to Day St, Tara, near the Commercial Hotel to reports of a fight.
Police prosecutor Melissa Campbell said police were preoccupied at the time of the call and showed up later to watch CCTV footage from the pub.
“(Owens) was observed outside the Commercial Hotel, yelling and punching another male with numerous persons running away from the altercation and taking cover in neighbouring businesses,” she said.
Sgt Campbell told the court Owens was seen pushing a woman over as he charged towards another man.
He later told police he remembered drinking at the pub but was so drunk he didn’t remember much after that.
He was on a suspended sentence at the time.
When it was Owens’ turn to speak, he told the court he “couldn’t drink”.
“I was at the pub and then people were picking on me, and started fighting with me,” he said.
“So when I left, they came outside and started on me. That’s all I remember of it all.”
Owens said he knew his actions “were not right” and has been sober since the brawl.
Magistrate Chris Callaghan sentenced Owens to jail for one month, and declared his 31 days in pre-sentence custody as time served.
He was immediately released on parole, suspended for one month.
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