Matt John Nelson drunkenly assaults, breaks phone after public urination

A Queensland man attacked a bystander who called him out for urinating on the wall of a nightclub, with the gross act caught on CCTV.

A Queensland man said he could not recall smashing a phone and assaulting someone who called him out for peeing against a nightclub’s wall.

A Mackay man said he could not recall smashing a phone and assaulting someone who called him out for peeing against a nightclub’s wall.

Matt John Nelson pleaded guilty to assault, wilful damage and urinating in a licensed premises for his offending outside the Rabbit Hole Nightclub on November 19, 2022 at about 3.30am.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard the 34 year old had previous convictions while drunk, but seemed “genuinely shocked” to see his behaviour caught on CCTV footage.

Police prosecutor Ruth Whisker said Nelson seemed to honestly have no recollection while police showed him the footage.

“The victim has attended Mackay Police Station and … made a statement to police,” she said.

“The victim has walked outside the club and observed (Nelson) urinating on the front wall

“(He’s) said words to the effect of ‘Don’t be a grub, you wouldn’t want someone pissing on your window at home’.

“(Nelson) has said ‘F--k off’ (and) has approached the victim as he was getting his phone to call the police.

“He’s shoved him in the chest (, grabbing) his phone from his hand and thrown it onto the pavement, causing the screen to shatter.”

Ms Whisker said Nelson then walked off, and the victim reported the incident to Mackay Police Station a few days later on November 22.

The court heard the victim had tried to fix his phone but it was broken internally.

Nelson’s lawyer Marcus Hahn said his client had already placed $1400 in trust with Hahn Lawyers to pay restitution for a new phone.

“He describes himself as someone who doesn’t drink often and goes to the CBD even less,” Mr Hahn said.

“He admits he’s drunk to excess.

“It’s not an excuse that he doesn’t remember, but he’s made full admissions.”

The court also heard Nelson was already on probation for previous offending, which had been about to expire in May.

Magistrate Bronwyn Hartigan said the problem was that Nelson had previous charges for “public nuisance-type behaviour”.

”I think you would benefit from another 12 months from today, which would effectively be 10 months on top of your current order,” Ms Hartigan said.

Nelson was given 12 months probation for the common assault and wilful damage.

He was ordered to pay a $100 fine for public urination, as well as $1300 to the victim and $100 to the Rabbit Hole Nightclub for cleaning of the wall.