Jason Jeffs pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm after punching caretaker in the jaw at Dolphin Heads resort

A dispute over an electrical fault sparked a fight between a grandfather and a resort caretaker, with a punch thrown. Read what happened here.

An argument over faulty electricity has sparked a scuffle between a property owner and a resort caretaker.

Jason Jeffs, who lived at Dolphin Heads Resort in a self-contained apartment, got into a fight with the property manager’s husband after electricity was lost to his neighbouring room.

Crown prosecutor Samantha O’Rourke told Mackay District Court the 50-year-old Mackay man and the property’s caretaker investigated the loss of power, with initial blame placed on Jeffs.

Annoyed, Jeffs called the caretaker a “dog” and said to come outside.

The caretaker followed Jeffs outside to continue the conversation, but Jeffs turned around and punched him in the jaw.

The man fell to the ground, where a further scuffle broke out until the caretaker’s father broke up the pair.

Ms O’Rourke told the court Jeffs made a passing threat to the caretaker as he walked away.

As a result of the fight, the caretaker suffered abrasions to his knee and elbow.

Defence barrister Scott Mclennan told the court Jeffs’ behaviour was unusual.

“This is the first time he’s been before any court,” he said.

“He and his wife bought the unit at Dolphin Heads resort for his family to use … he didn’t realise when he bought this unit he was buying into one of these situations where there’s an ongoing toxic dispute between the body corporate, the managers and the owners.

“After this incident he sold his unit, so there’s no further issues.”

Mr McLennan conceded that Jeffs’ lack of prior knowledge of the resort’s relationships was not relevant before purchasing the property.

Jeffs pleaded guilty in Mackay District Court on February 4, 2022 to assault occasioning bodily harm.

Judge Julie Dick fined the convenience store owner $1000 and ordered him to pay the victim $250.

“You’re a good working citizen, you just overreacted on the day, and what a shame to see,” she said.

A conviction was not recorded.