Travis Leslie Garland pleaded guilty to common assault and failing to provide a specimen of breath at Souths Leagues Club and Harrup Park Country Club

First he punched a worker after he was told to leave a footy club, then he bogged his car trying to drink-drive out of a nearby country club.

A man pleaded guilty to common assault after he punched a senior duty manager at Souths Leagues Club.

Barely six hours after drunkenly assaulting a worker at a popular Mackay footy club, Travis Leslie Garland bogged his car drink-driving at a nearby country club.

A senior duty manager at Souths Leagues Club claimed in his victim impact statement he has had to resign from his job since the attack.

Acting Magistrate Athol Kennedy adjourned the case against Garland until he confirmed some of the claims as it could impact the penalty, the court heard.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard on April 27, 2021, Garland had been pestering a female patron and as a result, senior duty manager Luke Turner asked him to leave.

Prosecutor Harry Coburn said Garland became abusive calling him “f***ing gay c***” and pushed over a sign.

More stories:

State payday: Mackay father loses $110k cash to the Crown

Stepdad tosses 15yo outside by the hair in horror assault

Father given five-year animal ban over ‘serious’ negligence

When Mr Turner followed to pick it up, Garland stood on the sign and then punched Mr Turner twice in the face.

The court heard Garland fled the Milton St venue, however barely six hours later he bogged his car drink-driving at Harrup Park Country Club about 11.29pm.

Garland had driven onto the field. He told officers, “I have no idea, I was trying to find a way out and kept going round and round.”

The court heard he was heavily under the influence and refused to take part in a breath test, despite being told if he did not he would be charged as a high-range drink-driver.

The 46 year old pleaded guilty to common assault and failing to provide a specimen of breath.

Defence solicitor Marcus Hahn, of McKays Solicitors, said his client had taken steps including attending Lives Lived Well.

Mr Hahn said this “proactive step is an insight into his offending”.

The court heard Garland’s mental health had been in shambles on April 27 and he had “decided to self medicate with alcohol” and drank to excess.

Mr Hahn also tendered a letter of apology for the victim.

Subscriber benefits:

How to activate your free Courier-Mail subscription

How to get Daily Mercury news straight to your inbox

Your dose of Harry Bruce cartoons

Mr Kennedy raised a number of comments made in the victim impact statement including that Mr Turner felt he had to resign from his job after working at the club for six years.

He directed prosecution to have a police officer attend the club to find out if Mr Turner had resigned.

Matters were adjourned for one week. Garland was released on bail on the condition that he not drink in that time.

Originally published as Travis Leslie Garland pleaded guilty to common assault and failing to provide a specimen of breath at Souths Leagues Club and Harrup Park Country Club