Kytarna Leyland-Rice pleads guilty to wounding over pub glassing

A BHP workforce co-ordinator smashed her drink glass on a man’s head during an explosive argument which was captured on CCTV footage. Find out what sparked it all.

A BHP workforce co-ordinator smashed her drink glass on a man’s head during an explosive argument that began over a bar tab.

CCTV footage captured the moment Kytarna Leyland-Rice glassed the 35-year-old victim at Mackay’s Langfords Hotel soon after throwing a drink in his face after he made racist and sexist comments, a court heard.

Now the 22-year-old will have to live with a criminal conviction recorded against her name after pleading guilty to unlawful wounding.

Kytarna Leyland-Rice pleaded guilty to glassing a man at a Mackay pub during a heated argument stemming from a bar tab.

Mackay District Court heard the pair had been drinking at Sails Sports Bar for a Christmas party on December 27, 2020 where the victim felt Leyland-Rice had been using a bar tab to which she was not entitled.

Tensions escalated after the group travelled to Langfords where both sides were using poor language.

During the clash, Leyland-Rice smashed her drink glass over his head, causing about a 3cm cut that needed four staples.

Defence barrister Scott McLennan said the victim “wouldn’t stop carrying on about this bar tab”.

A judge was surprised to see Kytarna Leyland-Rice before the district court for such behaviour.

“My client denied ever using the bar tab and she’s someone who really values their reputation as an honest person,” Mr McLennan said.

The court heard the group had been drinking all day and night and she was not a big drinker.

“Generally speaking people who hit other people with glasses in licensed premises go to jail,” Judge Julie Dick said.

“It’s as simple as that.”

Judge Dick accepted the victim had been “very provocative” including making racist and sexual comments.

Kytarna Leyland-Rice pleaded guilty to glassing a man after the victim made racist and sexual comments.

The court heard Leyland-Rice and her friends had at one point walked away before the victim stood up and started yelling and gesturing.

“And you got stirred up and I think you got stirred up because of the drink,” Judge Dick said.

The court heard four references described Leyland-rice in high regard.

“It’s very unfortunate to see someone as young as you, with such good qualities … in the district court.”

Leyland-Rice was jailed for 12 months, wholly suspended for 18 months. A conviction was recorded.