Moorooka’s Jaika Raymond James Thompson faces Ipswich Court for Shades Nightclub assault

A teenager put his career aspirations on the line when he knocked a stranger to the ground in a heat-of-the-moment Valley punch-up, an Ipswich court has heard.

Jaika Raymond James Thompson leaves Ipswich Court on May 15, 2024. Picture: Nicola McNamara

A teenager put his career aspirations on the line when he knocked a stranger to the ground in a heat-of-the-moment Valley punch-up, an Ipswich court has heard.

Jaika Raymond James Thompson, 19, pleaded guilty on May 15 to one count of assault occasioning bodily harm.

The Moorooka resident attacked a stranger while he was out drinking with friends on November 12, 2023, the Ipswich Magistrates’ Court heard.

Police prosecutor Jonathon Waddington said the victim was walking across the floor of the Shades Nightclub in Fortitude Valley to call his girlfriend when Thompson punched him in the face.

Mr Waddington said the victim “swung back in a state of shock” before Thompson punched him again, knocking him to the ground.

Other patrons intervened to help and Thompson was later identified through CCTV.

The court heard the victim suffered a split lip.

Defence lawyer William Leather said his client was told before the assault that the victim had made some sort of threat about him even though the two were strangers.

Mr Leather acknowledged the incident could have had a far more serious outcome.

He said Thompson, who had no criminal history, was drunk at the time.

Mr Leather said Thompson had also been significantly affected by the loss of his brother in the months leading up to the offending.

Acting Magistrate Paul Byrne told Thompson the incident was “a big, big thing”.

“Imagine if everyone who lost a family member punched someone in the face in a nightclub,” he said.

Mr Leather said Thompson had written a letter of apology to the complainant.

He asked that no convictions be recorded as Thompson aspired to pursue a career in archaeology or anthropology and a conviction could affect his prospects in those fields.

Mr Byrne told Thompson that if he had had any criminal history for similar offending he would have given him a jail sentence.

Instead, he sentenced Thompson to 18 months’ probation, with no conviction recorded.