Quinn Stover sacked by CQ Capras after violent street assault

An apprentice chippy and emerging young rugby league star was dumped by the Central Queensland Capras after his unprovoked and violent bashing of a man in the street, a court has heard.

Quinn Stover, pictured at a private school graduation.

An emerging Central Queensland rugby league star has paid a heavy price for a night of drunken violence which his lawyer described as a “brain snap.”

Quinn Stuart Stover, 20, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court to assault occasioning bodily harm – a charge stemming from a drunken night out which led to the apprentice carpenter’s sacking from the Capras team.

Police prosecutor Courtney Brown said at 10.15pm on April 22, the male victim was at The Strand Hotel in Yeppoon celebrating a friend’s 18th birthday.

Ms Brown said hours later, about 1am, the victim was at the QBar area of the hotel when Stover approached him and they had a conversation.

Stover “offered” to go outside and fight.

“The victim stated to (Stover) that he didn’t want to fight him,” Ms Brown said.

Quinn Stover previously played for St Brendan‘s and had a glowing recommendation letter from a teacher.

The prosecutor said a short time later, Stover walked away and the victim “didn’t think any more of the situation.”

Ms Brown said at 2am when The Strand Hotel closed, the victim was walking on Normanby Street when Stover again approached him.

“(Stover) walked up to the victim and ripped the pocket off the victim’s shirt,” Ms Brown said.

“The victim again told (Stover) he didn’t want to fight him.

“(Stover) then suggested that they fight in an alley beside Red Rooster.”

Ms Brown said the victim then held both of his hands “up and out to the side” and told Stover that he didn’t want to fight.

The Strand Hotel, Yeppoon.

“At this time, (Stover) has grabbed the victim by the shirt with his left hand, and with his right hand with a closed fist, has punched the victim in the mouth, causing the victim’s two front teeth to break,” Ms Brown said.

The prosecutor said police were told about the incident and they attended the scene.

“They (police) were informed that (Stover) had run off,” Ms Brown said.

“Police observed the victim’s two front teeth were broken.”

Ms Brown said Stover returned to the scene and police saw he had sustained an injury to his right hand.

Queensland Ambulance Service attended and assisted the victim and Stover.

Stover was arrested and later charged.

In court, the prosecution sought $4452.50 compensation for the victim’s medical treatment.

The court heard that Stover had no criminal history.

Quinn Stover, pictured at a private school graduation.

Solicitor Dominic Jorgensen represented Stover in court and after some discussion with the prosecution and Magistrate Grace Kahlert about the amount of compensation sought, Mr Jorgensen said Stover was prepared to pay the full sum.

Mr Jorgensen said Stover was embarrassed and remorseful for his offending and had instructed that it was effectively a “brain snap” while he was intoxicated.

The solicitor said Stover had been an under-21 Central Queensland Capras player but that organisation had “sacked” him because of this incident.

Mr Jorgensen said Stover was an apprentice carpenter and the solicitor tendered numerous references to the court for his client, saying his conduct on the night was out of character.

Quinn Stover was a promising player for the Central Queensland Capras but lost his spot on the team after being charged with assault on a drunken night out. He’s pictured here in his final year of school with St Brendan’s.

Magistrate Kahlert said Stover’s offending was “disgraceful behaviour.”

“You are very lucky that you are not before the court with much more serious consequences – you’ve probably heard in the media that young men punching other young men in the face after being out at nightclubs when they’re grossly intoxicated can lead to them falling, hitting their head and dying.

“Fortunately for you, that didn’t happen. But the victim did sustain some damage to his teeth as well … the victim had to undergo quite extensive dental treatment.”

Ms Kahlert noted that a rugby league coach, in a reference for Stover, described him as “a fine young man” and “was surprised” that Stover ended up in this situation.

The magistrate also said a former teacher of Stover’s at St Brendan’s College provided a good reference for him, describing Stover as having “a very strong work ethic” and a person who was “usually calm and composed.”

Ms Kahlert said Stover’s current employer, in a reference, had also expressed surprise at his behaviour, describing Stover as “likeable, respectful, honest, trustworthy, hardworking and reliable.”

Ms Kahlert ordered Stover perform 200 hours of unpaid community service and pay $4452.50 compensation to the victim.

No conviction was recorded.