Ethan Samuel Saltner pleads guilty to Biloela pub assault

A man has faced court for assaulting a patron at a Central Queensland hotel following a nasty exchange of words.

Ethan Samuel Saltner pleaded guilty in Biloela Magistrates Court to common assault.

A man who punched another patron at a Biloela pub after an exchange of words has faced court to get his punishment.

Ethan Samuel Saltner, 23, pleaded guilty in Biloela Magistrates Court on March 22 to common assault.

Police prosecutor Jennifer Leach said on November 19 last year, Saltner and the male victim were at the Biloela Hotel Motel.

Ms Leach said throughout the night, Saltner “continuously” called the victim names as he walked past.

Ms Leach said later, Saltner approached the victim and called his girlfriend “a slut”.

The prosecutor said Saltner also said words to the effect of: “Your whole family is a bunch of pussies - none of you will ever do anything.”

“(Saltner) has then reached over and grabbed the victim’s nose and squeezed it before leaving again,” Ms Leach said.

Ms Leach said about 15 to 20 minutes later, the victim went to the bathroom and Saltner followed him in there and punched him in the face while shouting at him.

Police were called to the venue.

Ms Leach said the victim suffered a split ear, swollen face, and his upper and lower lips were busted.

The court heard that Saltner had a one-page criminal history which included a common assault offence in 2022 and a public nuisance offence in the vicinity of a licensed premises in 2019.

Solicitor Bianca Wieland said Saltner was working as a trainee operator and he had been banned from the pub where this incident happened.

Ms Wieland said there had been words exchanged between Saltner and the victim during the incident.

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale placed Saltner on six months’ probation and ordered he pay $250 compensation to the victim.

A conviction was recorded.