Zechariah Kember, 19, sentenced for bizarre newsagency brawl, damaging medical centre property

A man who was on two suspended jail sentences when took part in a brutal public brawl in front of shocked Kingaroy shoppers has again avoided serving term behind bars for his continued offending.

A repeat offender has narrowly avoided jail for a public brawl in a Kingaroy shop and vandalising property at a medical centre, despite police saying he’s already had countless warnings.

Visitors to Kingaroy Shoppingworld were left stunned when a brawl broke out between Zechariah Kember, 19, and another man at the newsagency last December.

The two men continued attacking each other until an employee was forced to step in and remove them both from the store. It’s unknown why the fight began.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Lisa Manns dold Kingaroy Magistrates Court CCTV footage revealed shocked shoppers stopping to watch the fight and backing away from the brawling men.

Later that month Kember was charged again when he stopped by the South Burnett Medical Centre and began punching the fence, causing hundreds of dollars worth of damage to the panels.

He later told police he couldn’t remember causing the damage because he was drunk.

Zechariah Kember pleaded guilty to committing a public nuisance and wilful damage in Kingaroy Magistrates Court.

Sergeant Manns said Kember was on two suspended jail sentences at the time of the offending and suggested a short period of actual jail time may be in order.

“He’s been given every available opportunity to remain in the community on probation, parole and suspended sentences,” she said.

“He just keeps reoffending.”

Lawyer Jay Rose said her client had significant mental health issues, including schizophrenia, post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression.

She said while Kember was medicated, he regularly drank alcohol, which interfered with his medication.

His existing suspended sentences are both for seriously assaulting police through spitting or biting.

Kember pleaded guilty to public nuisance and wilful damage.

He was fined $500 and ordered to pay $250 in compensation for the fence. The suspended sentences were not activated.

Magistrates Andrew Sinclair did not activate Kemper’s suspended sentences, saying parole board delays would mean Kemper would likely serve an excessive amount of time behind bars and make the punishment unjust.