Siyi Wang pleads guilty to supplying alcohol to intoxicated patrons

After a Melbourne Cup day brawl at the Sawmill Hotel Motel in Wondai, the staff and owner allowed two intoxicated patrons who were involved in the fight to continue drinking.

The Sawmill Hotel Motel in Wondai. Photo: Facebook.

After a Melbourne Cup day brawl at the Sawmill Hotel Motel in Wondai, the staff and owner allowed two intoxicated patrons who were involved in the fight to finish their drinks.

Siyi Wang, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of supplying alcohol to two unduly intoxicated people at the Murgon Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The court heard Wang is the licensee and owner of the Betaspe Hospitality Pty Ltd trading as the Sawmill Hotel Motel in Wondai.

Police prosecutor Lisa Manns said on Melbourne Cup day on November 7, 2023, a fight broke out in the hotel about 6.40pm.

“During this fight, the two patrons have thrown multiple punches in an assault of a member of the public causing other patrons to leave the venue,” she said.

The court heard several other people were also involved in the brawl.

Sergeant Manns said after the fight, Wang and her partner arrived to see the aftermath and ejected the person who had been assaulted, leaving the two alleged offenders in the hotel.

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Police were called a short time later and watched the CCTV footage from the hotel.

Wang and her partner live at the hotel; her partner is not alleged to have engaged in any wrongdoing.

“The defendant allowed liquor to be consumed by both of those persons that were unduly disorderly at the time,” Sgt Manns said.

The Sawmill Hotel Motel in Wondai. Photo: Facebook.

Wang’s lawyer Colin Murray told the court it was one of the employees who served the drinks but conceded Wang allowed them to finish their drinks after she and her partner arrived.

“She allowed them to have that last part of their drink after asking them to leave just to try and keep the peace,” Mr Murray said.

“She made the mistake of letting them finish … it was just an error of judgement.”

Mr Murray said Ms Wang arrived in Australia about five years ago from China and completed a masters in construction at Gold Coast University before arriving in Wondai about two years ago.

He said she has no prior criminal history.

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Magistrate Andrew Sinclair said the maximum fine for breaching the liquor act was $75,000.

“The Sawmill Hotel produces a large volume of material that I have to deal with,” he said.

“That’s because people go there to get intoxicated, they get over intoxicated and get involved in fights.

“That’s why it’s so important that the licensees make sure that the staff are properly trained and comply with their duties.”

Mr Sinclair fined Wang $1000 and no conviction was recorded.
The court was also told the employee who served the drinks was fined $500 in a separate hearing.