Corey Christopher Tonner’s one-punch knockout leaves victim with brain bleed at taxi rank

A court has heard how a young Ipswich tradie’s one-punch assault caused internal bleeding to his victim’s brain after a taxi rank blow-up outside a popular hotel.

A Deebing Heights tradie has been sentenced for an alcohol-fuelled assault at the Orion Hotel taxi rank, which knocked his victim unconscious and caused internal bleeding to the brain.

Corey Christopher Tonner, 23, pleaded guilty on August 12 to one charge of assault occasioning bodily harm in a public place whilst adversely affected by an intoxicating substance.

The court heard that on April 2, 2022, Tonner had a verbal argument with another man at a taxi rank near the Orion Hotel, Springfield Central.

Tonner, who the court heard was intoxicated at the time, then punched the other man in the head.

The other man fell back, hit his head, and fell unconscious – while Tonner continued to stand over him and yell abuse at him.

The victim sustained lacerations to his face and the back of his head, along with minor internal bleeding to the brain – which court heard did not have permanent consequences.

Magistrate Dennis Kinsella noted the seriousness of the injuries, saying “the minute you threw that punch, you had no control over what consequences could occur”.

The court heard Tonner had a criminal history of alcohol-related offending – most recently public nuisance offending.

Police prosecutor Nick Turnbull noted there had also been an incident where Tonner had a physical altercation with a woman – in which he had “charged forward” and “shoulder-barged” her in public after an alcohol-fuelled argument.

“We just can’t have these young men – colloquially – just punching, slogging each other in front of nightclubs” said Sergeant Turnbull.

Defence lawyer Renee Smith said Tonner was remorseful and “feels sick” about his offending.

She said he had ceased drinking, and was working six days a week in air conditioner installation.

Tonner was sentenced to nine months imprisonment – wholly suspended for 12 months.

He was also ordered to complete 40 hours of community service within the next 12 months, and a conviction was recorded.