Ashley Tapim jailed for assaulting cousin at Mackay wedding

A family wedding has descended into chaos and violence, with one man requiring surgery for a raft of serious injuries, after a cousin was accused of speaking inappropriately to a 15-year-old girl.

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Two brothers have broken their cousin’s jaw and eye socket during a “chaotic scene” at a family wedding.

Graphic details of the violence were revealed in Mackay District Court on Tuesday as one of the co-accused, Ashley Tapim, faced the consequences of his role in the beating, as his father gave support from the gallery.

The court heard the brothers’ cousin, Swayne Lund Beveridge, had called Tapim out to the carpark on the night of September 25, 2021, to have a conversation which quickly turned into a heated argument.

Mr Beveridge had accused Tapim of speaking inappropriately with his 15-year-old female cousin, and in the car park had taken off his bag and watch, passing his belongings to his girlfriend.

Defence barrister Scott McLennan successfully argued Mr Beveridge had anticipated there would be a physical fight with Tapim.

Crown prosecutor Matthew Sutton said while the fight may have been “consensual” the ensuing “king hit” from Tapim’s brother, and the beating that followed was not.

CCTV footage captured both Tapim and his brother repeatedly pushing, punching, and trying to kick Mr Beveridge, resulting in him suffering a broken jaw, eye socket, bruising, and swelling, and requiring surgery.

“The attack itself only stopped when others intervened,” Mr Sutton said.

Tapim was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm in company over the eye socket injury, while his brother faces the same charge, including over the jaw.

Mr McLennan said the brothers grew up in Sarina with Tapim completing Year 12 at Sarina State High School.

He said Tapim had worked at the Sarina IGA, a tyre recycling facility, as a mechanics trade assistant, and most recently at a prawn farm.

“When the fight broke out, Mr Tapim said he just didn’t think things through and he just instinctually joined in the fight with his brother,” Mr McLennan said.

“He accepts that he went too far, he got caught up in the fast moving events, and he’s sorry for what he did that night.”

Mr McLennan added there were other wedding guests at the “really chaotic scene” and Tapim was unsure whether they were trying to join the fight or diffuse it.

He also said Tapim had stated to Mr Beveridge that he did not know the 15-year-old cousin.

Judge Gregory Lynham said Tapim’s criminal history was “troubling” but he had mostly been a productive member of the community.

“Weddings are supposed to be an occasion of happiness and good will,” Mr Lynham told Tapim who was visibly growing restless and glancing at his father.

Judge Lynham sentenced him to 12 months’ jail, to be suspended after three months, with an 18 months operational period.

Upon hearing his punishment, Tapim shook his head towards his father.