Stephen Charles Brown pleads guilty to public nuisance in West Mackay

A former meat worker who gave his neighbour $100 to help her out of a tough spot turned to anger when she refused to repay the debt, pacing the apartment with a baseball bat.

A former meat worker paced his building swinging a baseball bat to “put the fear” into a neighbour who owed him money, a court heard.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard Stephen Charles Brown was drunk and creating a “loud disturbance” in his West Mackay apartment building on a Saturday afternoon.

Prosecutor Sergeant Tina Bland told the court a witness experienced Brown, 65, standing in the lower barbecue area, yelling up at her “I’ll put a bullet in her head” and “we’ll see her in her grave” on February 5, 2022.

Stephen Charles Brown pleaded guilty in Mackay Magistrates Court on February 23, 2022 to public nuisance. Picture: Lillian Watkins

A second witness saw Brown walking around the area swinging a baseball bat.

Police were called to the apartment complex when Brown told them he was “only trying to put the fear into her”.

The court heard the altercation arose after Brown loaned one of his neighbours $100 when she was in a tough spot, but had not seen the money since.

Brown said he was drunk at the time, having consumed beer and later rum to “wind down”.

‘If you want someone to stop talking to you, lend them money’. Picture: Lillian Watkins

Sergeant Bland said it was a serious example of public nuisance, particularly given that it was with a weapon and at a private residence.

Brown pleaded guilty in Mackay Magistrates Court on February 23, 2022 to public nuisance.

His defence lawyer Phil Moore said his client was remorseful for his actions.

Magistrate James Morton acknowledged Brown’s limited financial position.

“If you want someone to stop talking to you, lend them money,” Mr Morton said.

Brown was fined $200 and a conviction was recorded.