Charlie Max Meacham faces court for throwing ice at people from The Strand Hotel, Yeppoon

An apprentice boilermaker’s friend was not impressed when they found out why police were questioning him. He ended up fronting court on a criminal charge. Here’s what happened.

A teenager who threw ice at Capricorn Coast nightgoers has faced court on a criminal charge.

Charlie Max Meacham, 19, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court on May 5 to public nuisance in a licensed premises.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Kevin Ongheen said at 10.15pm on October 30 last year, police were standing at the front of The Strand Hotel.

“They saw a male throw a plastic cup with ice and liquid out of the second storey window of the hotel,” Sgt Ongheen said.

The prosecutor said the cup nearly struck a person walking past the venue.

“It was a clear night, the hotel and street lighting was bright - police had clear visibility of the male dropping the cups,” Sgt Ongheen said.

Police entered the hotel and found Meacham standing near a window.

They arrested him and escorted him out of the hotel.

Sgt Ongheen said while police were completing their correspondence, an associate of Meacham’s asked him what was going on.

“To which he (Meacham) yelled back: ‘I was throwing s--- out the window’.”

The associate said “huh?” and Meacham repeated the “throwing s---” line and the conversation was recorded by police.

Sgt Ongheen said Meacham was issued with an infringement notice for public nuisance in a licensed premises.

“On the 21st of December, 2021, police received notification that the defendant had requested to have the matter heard by the court,” Sgt Ongheen said.

“On the 6th of April, 2022, police issued a notice to appear (in court).

“The initial infringement notice contained a penalty for $827.”

The court heard Meacham had no criminal history.

Solicitor Krissy Cummins said Meacham had sought legal advice after he asked for the matter to go to court.

She said Meacham was an apprentice boilermaker who was “out with friends” on the night of the incident.

Ms Cummins said Meacham had seen cups sitting on a bench and he made “a silly decision” to throw them at people.

“He has expressed remorse to me - that he didn’t realise that it was an offence,” Ms Cummins said.

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale said it was “not the most serious offence” the courts see before fining Meacham $827.

No conviction was recorded.