Beau Daniel Coolwell punched a man outside the Oxford Hotel on East Street after a ‘racial slur’

A recidivist offender punched a man in the face at a Central Queensland pub, four days after being released from prison. Here’s what happened to him when he faced court.

A recidivist offender with schizophrenia stemming from long-standing substance abuse, punched a man in the face at a Central Queensland pub, four days after being released from prison.

Beau Daniel Coolwell, 34, pleaded guilty on July 8 in Rockhampton Magistrates Court to one count of assault occasioning bodily harm.

Police prosecutor Clancy Fox said Coolwell approached the victim about 10pm on May 7 outside Rockhampton’s Oxford Hotel on East Street, tapped him on the shoulder and said “hey mate”.

Mr Fox said the victim turned around and Coolwell punched him.

The victim fell into a table behind him, resulting in a cut to his chin, which had to be stitched.

The victim also sustained chips to his right front tooth and an incisor.

Mr Fox said Coolwell, who was too intoxicated at the time to be interviewed by police, committed the offence four days after being released on parole for assault aggravated by biting or spitting.

Beau Daniel Coolwell, 34, pleaded guilty on July 8, 2022, in Rockhampton Magistrates Court to one count of assault occasioning bodily harm for punching a man outside the Oxford Hotel on East Street, Rockhampton.

Mr Fox said Coolwell’s 10-page criminal record showed he had issues with alcohol consumption and anger management.

Defence lawyer Rebecca Winning said her client was subject to a treatment authority, and was formally diagnosed with schizophrenia which stemmed from long-standing substance abuse.

She said Coolwell was “highly intoxicated” on the night of the assault and he had instructed the victim made a racial slur which upset him.

Coolwell’s criminal record includes convictions for methamphetamines and violence.

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale said Coolwell may not have been in a position, due to his intoxication level, to know what or who said anything.

“You may well have mistaken what he said,” Ms Beckinsale said.

She sentenced Coolwell to 12 months’ prison, cumulative on the sentence he was serving for the prior assault, declared 56 days pre-sentence custody, and set parole eligibility for January 13, 2023.