Andre Mulik in Maroochydore court for brutal Sunshine Plaza assault

A young Sunshine Coast man has been banned from the region’s biggest shopping centre for chasing his victim through the precinct, throwing him to the ground and punching him repeatedly.

Andre Mulik leaves Maroochydore Court House. Picture: Patrick Woods.

A young Sunshine Coast man received a stern lecture from a magistrate as he was being sentenced for chasing down a man in a busy shopping centre and punching him repeatedly.

Andre Mulik appeared in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on September 23 and pleaded guilty to eight charges which occurred between February and July this year.

Police prosecutor Shane Raison told the court the most serious offence occurred about 5.30pm on February 15 at the Sunshine Plaza.

He said the victim spotted Mulik and another person at the Maroochydore bus stop who began following him into the shopping centre.

“He (the victim) recognised one from previous dealings,” Senior sergeant Raison said.

The victim broke into a run and crossed over to the line of eateries in the Sunshine Plaza when Mulik shouted “oi motherf---er” from across a bridge, the court heard.

The chase continued until Mulik took the victim into a headlock.

Senior sergeant Raison said the victim was thrown to the ground, hitting his head against the glass door of a business in the process.

Magistrate Rod Madsen told the court Mulik punched the man multiple times and described the attack as “cowardly” as the victim could not defend himself.

After receiving bruising and swelling from the assault, the victim was able to get up and run further into the Sunshine Plaza.

The court heard Mulik’s other offending included stealing $289 worth of fragrances from Terry White Chemmart and trespassing onto the Sunshine Plaza after he was banned.

Andre Mulik leaves Maroochydore Court House. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Senior sergeant Raison said he was also found with three lyrica pills when he was ultimately arrested.

Defence lawyer Patrick Meehan said his 20-year-old client had been homeless and living on the streets with his father during the time of the offence.

He told the court Mulik had a history of drug issues and often failed drug testing during a probation order.

After trying and failing to obtain a medicinal cannabis prescription, Mulik had been introduced to lyrica from another person, Mr Meehan said.

The court heard Mulik previously worked at hotels as a kitchen hand or housekeeper and has prospective employment lined up.

Mr Madsen told Mulik he would be given parole and wished him “good luck” as he handed down his sentence.

“You are an idiot,” Mr Madsen said.

He told the young man this was the only way to “get through” to him.

Mr Madsen said Mulik was lucky he had not caused more serious harm to the victim.

“Patience has really, really run out with you,” he said.

Mulik was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment with immediate parole and disqualified him from driving for three years.

“Everything’s finally caught up with you,” Mr Madsen said.

Mulik pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm, contravening a community-based order, driving without a licence, possessing S4 or S8 medicines, two counts of stealing and two counts of trespass.