Wide Bay men and women guilty of assault named | List
Staggering statistics show alcohol-fuelled assaults are on the rise and problem partiers at local venues have been put on notice. Now, these men and women - all found guilty of their violent crimes - are exposed. See the full list here:
Gympie
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gympie. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Assaults across the Wide Bay have increased by a whopping 71% with police revealing alcohol is a common theme.
According to Queensland Police Crime Statistics, there have been 1264 assault charges laid in the Wide Bay from January to August, a significant spike compared to the same time period last year.
In Bundaberg, where the city’s stand alone statistics for the 2020-2021 financial year are closer to an increase of 20%, Senior Sergeant Michael McGarry said “usually alcohol’s a factor in that”.
While many of the alcohol-linked assaults happened at private parties and inside the home, several cases involving hitting, punching and biting at pubs and clubs have also landed in courts across Gympie, Fraser Coast and Bundaberg.
It comes amid changes to Safe Night Out laws.
As of September 15, troublemakers will be banned from pubs and clubs for 30 days rather than 10.
Speaking to reporters in Bundaberg on the eve of that change Senior Sergeant McGarry said fortunately only seven per cent of local assaults occurred in licenced venues which was partly thanks to a crackdown on anti-social behaviour.
He said notices would be issued to people in and around licenced premises who engaged in offensive, violent and threatening behaviour.
“That should be a real message of deterrence to those who think that they can go out to our licensed premises assault anyone, partake or participate in offensive, threatening violent behaviour,” Sgt McGarry said.
“People go out to have a good time, not to have their safety put at risk by people who drink to excess.”
From a young father who violently punched two men inside a Gympie pub to a woman who bit the arm of a security guard in Maryborough, these are some of the Wide Bay brawlers that have faced court for booze-fuelled and/or pub and club related offences.
Kenneth Hampton, Gympie
A 32-year-old Gympie father on trial for viciously punching two men in a Mary Street pub was found guilty in Gympie District Court following a four-day trial.
The jury took about a day to deliver its verdict on charges against Kenneth James Hampton of grievous bodily harm and assault occasioning bodily harm.
Earlier in the trial, the court heard from multiple witnesses who recalled the events leading up to a broken jaw for one man and brain injuries for another.
The court was told that about 11pm on September 21, 2019, a group of friends were socialising at the Queenslander Hotel when one man was involved in a confrontation and was knocked unconscious by Hampton.
One of the victim’s friends, Jacob Day, then punched Hampton several times trying to “restrain” him.
After the scuffle ended and 2-3 minutes passed, Hampton came up behind Mr Day and king hit him, breaking his jaw in two places.
Hampton received a head sentence of six years imprisonment with a parole eligibility date of July 2, 2022.
Craig Carroll, Gympie
Macgregor man Craig Edward Carroll, 28, was released from jail and put on probation after he drunkenly punched on with someone he knew.
Carroll pleaded guilty in Gympie Magistrates Court to 10 charges from between August 2020 and March 2021, the most serious being assault occasioning bodily harm.
The court heard in relation to the assault charge, Carroll drunkenly assaulted someone he knew before he smashed their car tail lights with a baseball bat.
Defence lawyer Chris Anderson said his client was an alcoholic at the time, and the situation was rooted in alcohol abuse, though was sober after he was taken into custody.
His time in pre-sentence custody was ordered as time served, and he was released from prison on an 18 month probation order.
Kieran Brough and Bradey Killian, Gympie
Two men who were involved in a brutal Gympie CBD assault that left a man in a coma in December 2019 have faced court after raining blows on a man “while he was down”.
Kieran Peter Brough, 22, and Bradey Andrew Killian, 23, both pleaded guilty to one charge each of assault occasioning bodily harm and affray in the Gympie Magistrates Court after the vicious attack outside the Queenslander Hotel on 13 December 2019.
The court heard Brough and Killian - along with co-offenders Jack James Daniel Fresen, Joshua Beau Searle and Harley Hudson Price - all played a role in bashing Timothy William Ogilvie after a an alcohol-fuelled fight broke out between two groups on that night.
Mr Ogilvie ran across the street to try and get away from his attackers, but was chased, knocked unconscious and continually beaten by the group until bystanders stepped in and an ambulance arrived.
The court heard Killian was seen to be kicking the victim in the back while he was down and “punching him in or about the head area”, while Brough was seen over the road kicking him and stomping him also while he was down.
Brough was sentenced to one year in jail with immediate release on parole and 100 hours‘ community service.
Killian was sentenced to eight months in jail with immediate release on parole with 70 hours of community service.
Brandon Williams, Bundaberg
A magistrate has heard a 22-year-old man refrained from drinking alcohol after his behaviour at a local watering hole landed him in court.
Brandon Leigh Williams pleaded guilty in the Bundaberg Magistrates Court to one count of assaulting a police officer and one count of common assault.
Police Prosecutor Senior Constable Tina Bland said the victim was working as a security guard at the Sugarland Tavern and approached the defendant about midnight and asked him to leave the premises.
“The defendant has then become argumentative and pushed the victim in the chest, the defendant‘s
girlfriend has gotten in between the defendant and the victim and has taken a glass of alcohol from the defendant,” Sen Const Bland said.
“The defendant has then, with a closed left fist punched out at the victim over the top of his girlfriend, the victim has attempted to move out of the way of the punch but has failed and the defendant‘s fist has made a glancing blow on the left-hand side of the victim’s face.”
Williams was ordered to perform 60 hours of community service and pay compensation of $200 for the security guard, and $500 for the police officer - referred to SPER. Convictions were recorded.
Joshua Bayliss, Bundaberg
Joshua Sean Bayliss, 22, made a messy break-up even worse after he showed up at his ex-girlfriend’s house very drunk.
Bayliss pleaded guilty in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on August 12, 2021, to serious assault of a person over 60, assault occasioning bodily harm as a domestic violence offence and obstructing police.
Just before 3am on January 13, the ex-girlfriend was woken by the sound of a door closing, and was shocked to find Bayliss in her room asking for some of his jewellery back.
She told him to leave, and an argument ensued, waking up her grandfather in another room.
Bayliss was “forcibly removed” from the home, but things took a turn for the worse when he and the grandfather got physical.
During the struggle the older man managed to put him in a headlock before Bayliss bit him on the hand, causing lacerations to his finger.
The grandfather also sustained cuts to his knee and head.
Bayliss’ ex girlfriend meanwhile went to help her grandfather and was bitten on the forearm.
He was sentenced to nine months behind bars with an immediate release.
Earl Martin, Fraser Coast
Earl James Martin was drinking beer with another man when a heated discussion about the victim losing meningococcal got physical.
Martin appeared in Hervey Bay Magistrates Court via video link and pleaded guilty to two counts of breach of bail, assault occasioning bodily harm, failing to dispose of a syringe, failing to surrender and unlawfully possessing drugs.
The court heard Martin got up from where he and the victim were drinking, only to return and throw a punch at the victim, knocking him off his chair.
Martin continued to assault the man while he was on the ground.
The victim was flown to Rockhampton Hospital for treatment.
Martin received a head sentence of 12 months imprisonment and convictions were recorded.
David Emery, Fraser Coast
A drunk Learner driver who ran up the back of another vehicle punched a police officer at the scene of the crash after becoming aggressive with the paramedics trying to treat him.
David Phillip Emery, 43, pleaded guilty in Hervey Bay Magistrates Court to assaulting a police officer, drink driving, driving without due care and attention, driving unaccompanied as a learner and not displaying L plates.
The court heard the two-car crash happened at Duckinwilla when Emery, driving a white sedan, approached a line of traffic at roadworks and collided with the rear of a four-wheel drive.
When Emery was placed in the back of an ambulance, he became aggressive with the paramedics.
A police officer came over to manage the situation and Emery struck the officer in the face with a clenched fist, the court heard.
Blood tests later revealed he had a reading of .153 blood alcohol content.
Emery was fined $2500 and he was disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Raynna Preston, Fraser Coast
A dispute between two women at a Maryborough bottle shop escalated into a shocking act of violence that left the victim in need of medical attention.
Raynna Lee Preston, 20, pleaded guilty to one count of assault occasioning bodily harm when she appeared before Maryborough Magistrates Court.
The court heard the two women “exchanged words” before the victim told Preston she wished she could break her glasses.
Preston then took her glasses off and, as the other woman turned to walk away, she grabbed her by the hair and started punching her.
The court heard the victim‘s top was ripped in the attack and in total she was struck between 10 to 12 times.
Preston was sentenced to 12 months‘ probation and ordered to pay $500 in compensation.
Sarahia Sharp, Fraser Coast
Sarahia Lee Sharp, 22, pleaded guilty to one count of seriously assaulting people performing a lawful duty.
The court heard Sharp was drinking alcohol at the Carriers Arms Hotel in July when she became involved in an altercation with another woman.
When she ran at the other woman, a security guard held out an arm to prevent her from making contact.
The court heard Sharp bit the man on the upper forearm but she did not break skin.
Magistrate Kurt Fowler said to Sharp he suspected if she hadn't been drinking, the incident wouldn’t have happened.
She was placed on an 80-hour community service order and a conviction was recorded.
David Poole, Fraser Coast
A father of three who bashed a stranger who he had offered a lift to the pub narrowly avoided jail after having his charge changed to assault occasioning bodily harm.
David John Poole pleaded guilty to the new charge at Hervey Bay Magistrates Court.
The court heard the victim suffered significant facial injuries including a fractured eye socket, broken nose, fractured cheekbone and a cut to the chin.
The court heard the incident happened after Poole and an associate pulled over on the Charlton Esplanade to offer the victim, who they did not know, a ride to the pub, when they became involved in a heated argument over illicit substances.
Poole allegedly attacked the victim outside the Sailing Club – which defence lawyer Hamish Isles said resulted from him seeing the victim sitting next to his child’s booster seat “which essentially resulted in him losing his temper”.
The court was told the incident was a “one off” and that Poole had been having some difficulties at home with relationships, essentially caused by alcohol, but had since sought support from rehabilitation centres and has experienced a significant upturn in his outlook on life.
Poole was sentenced to a 12 month intensive corrections order with a conviction recorded.
More Coverage
The Palaszczuk supporters who have abandoned Steven Miles
An exclusive Courier-Mail poll reveals many of the voters who helped an Annastacia Palaszczuk-led Labor secure victory at the last state election have returned to the LNP.
‘Disappeared’: Qld family fears for young brother missing in Spain
A Queensland family is desperate for answers as international police investigate the disappearance of their little brother.