Wade Stephen Richards in Mackay court for assault at taxi rank

A “very remorseful” father-of-two, desperate to avoid jail, has offered to pay thousands to a stranger whom he violently punched to the ground without provocation on a boozy night out.

Wade Stephen Richards, 40, faced Mackay Magistrates Court on Thursday, November 9, 2023 over an assault on July 22, 2023.

A father-of-two offered to pay $4000 compensation after he violently punched a man to the ground at a taxi rank without provocation.

Wade Stephen Richards, 40, faced Mackay Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with assault occasioning bodily harm over the July 22 incident.

The court heard the Mackay dad was highly intoxicated when with a closed right fist, he punched a 58-year-old man who then fell onto the hard ground, suffering cuts to his face as well as fractures to his ribs and eye and nose sockets.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Linden Pollard said while Richardson did not flee after the “alcohol-fuelled” assault that was captured on CCTV footage, he was too drunk to speak with police and a third-party had to render first-aid to his victim.

“The victim was required to have at least two weeks leave from work,” Sergeant Pollard said, adding imprisonment was not a last resort for assault occasioning bodily harm.

He submitted Richardson receive a wholly-suspended 18 months’ jail term.

Defence barrister Joshua Morris, instructed by McKays Solicitors, said Richardson was previously of “good character” and was “extremely remorseful” for his conduct.

Mr Morris added his client had made an early guilty plea, had apologised and offered $4000 in compensation to his victim, and had been willing to be sentenced even without the hospital’s injuries report which was not received in court until that morning.

Mackay dad Wade Stephen Richards, 40, faced Mackay Magistrates Court on Thursday, November 9, 2023 over an assault on July 22, 2023.

He said Richardson was prescribed antidepressants prior to the assault after struggling to get invoices paid at his carpentry business, but he had significantly cut down drinking and attended counselling after the incident.

Mr Morris said his client’s family, which included two school-aged children, risked losing their home if Richardson was jailed as his wife’s work at a hair salon was not their main income source.

He submitted for a wholly suspended 12 months’ jail term with community service.

Magistrate Bronwyn Hartigan said she was confident the punch was an “out of character” once-off event.

She said it was important to note Richardson had not continued to assault his victim or tried to run away or disguise himself.

“I do accept that if I send you to jail, your life would be catastrophically changed and that means your wife would be responsible for everyone in the family financially, but also emotionally,” Ms Hartigan said.

She ordered Richardson pay $4000 compensation to his victim and complete 40 hours of community service, with a jail term wholly suspended for an operational period of 12 months.

A conviction was recorded.