Rodney Graham Brims in Gympie court for common assault

A 51-year-old ex-surfer’s dream of living by the beach was “crushed” after bad blood with a former friend peaked with a drunken bashing at a supermarket.

A Rainbow Beach man was fined for a common assault charge in Gympie Magistrate Court on Monday after he struck and headbutted his former friend at a supermarket.

Rodney Graham Brims assaulted the 49-year-old victim on February 7, 2022 at about 7.30pm while shopping at an IGA in Rainbow Beach.

The victim was selecting items off the shelf when he observed Brims at the end of the aisle.

Brims declared to the victim “I want to fight you” and “every time I see you, I’ve had it up to here with you,” the court heard.

He then headbutted the victim to the face and struck him on the left shoulder with his right hand before punching victim’s sternum using his right fist.

Rodney Graham Brims appeared in Gympie Magistrate Court after headbutting his former friend at a supermarket.

Following the assault, the two men separated and walked away.

The victim later reported the matter to the local police station and provided a statement.

Police located Brims who declined to participate in the record of interview but did indicate there was bad blood between the parties prior to the incident, Sergeant Melissa Campbell told the court.

He lived in the same apartment complex and held a former friendship with the victim which later deteriorated.

Defence lawyer Chris Anderson told the court Brims had been drinking heavily prior to the incident.

He said Brims had since moved away from Rainbow Beach to avoid further interactions with the victim and that move “crushed a dream” of living by the beach for the ex-surfer.

Brims had gained sponsorship in his late teens but then received injuries resulting in the end of his career.

He had loved the beach, and he wanted live out his days at Rainbow Beach, the court heard but was now continuing his career buying and selling commodities at his new home in Maryborough.

Brims was fined $300 and a conviction was not recorded.