Shaquille Antonio Chapman faces Ipswich Court for McDonald’s knockout assault

A man was knocked unconscious by a drunk stranger at a southeast Queensland fast food chain in an unprovoked one-punch attack.

A man was knocked unconscious by a drunk stranger at a southeast Queensland fast food chain in an unprovoked one-punch attack. Picture: Generic / Sarah Matray

A McDonald’s customer was knocked unconscious by a drunk stranger at a southeast Queensland chain.

His assailant has told an Ipswich Court he knows there was “no excuse” for his actions.

Brassall resident Shaquille Antonio Chapman, 25, pleaded guilty on March 7 to assault occasioning bodily harm in a public place while adversely affected, and unauthorised dealing of shop goods.

Police prosecutor Jo Colston said Chapman had knocked a man unconscious at McDonald’s Ipswich on October 28, 2023.

Chapman had punched the stranger in the face, knocking him backwards and causing him to hit his head against a table.

Magistrate Jason Schubert called the attack a “coward punch”, noting the victim had not been threatening towards Chapman.

He said Chapman had returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.136 after the assault.

At his sentencing, Chapman told the court he was “sorry that happened”.

“I don’t wish any harm upon that victim,” he said.

“There’s no excuse for what I’ve done”

The court heard Chapman had also stolen $44 worth of alcohol from a BWS on October 21.

He had spent 126 days in presentence custody after the assault waiting for his sentence.

Defence lawyer Paddy O’Donnell said his client had struggled with substance abuse issues, but had taken steps towards rehabilitation since this offending.

Mr Schubert noted Chapman had a history of violent offending.

“If you can’t handle your alcohol, you need to get yourself away from any other members of the community, because this happens far too frequently for you,” Mr Schubert said.

“You’ve spent a great deal of your life so far behind bars.”

He sentenced Chapman to 10 months jail, with immediate parole eligibility and 126 days of presentence custody declared time-served.

Chapman was also ordered to complete 40 hours of unpaid community service.