Chris Leon Greeff in court for punching dad at McDonald’s Coolum drive-thru
A father on a late-night Maccas run at a popular Sunshine Coast beach was targeted by an angry plasterer who verbally abused and assaulted him in front of his young children.
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A Spring Hill plasterer has been fined for punching and abusing a father who supposedly “cut him off” in a McDonald’s drive-thru at Coolum Beach.
The court heard a father with two young children in the back of the car he was driving had picked up some food from the fast food restaurant before parking to eat.
It was about 12:10am on July 25, 2021, when the victim was then subjected to an “unprovoked attack”.
Police prosecutor Brendan Newman said the defendant, Chris Leon Greeff, 25, came up to the father’s car and started yelling and swearing at him before punching the car window.
“The victim exited the vehicle to see what he was upset about, he continued yelling at the victim which included threats to kill him,” Sergeant Newman told the court.
“The defendant punched the victim to the left shoulder with a closed fist and then continued yelling abuse.”
A second unknown man then started walking towards the pair and appeared to be carrying a knife.
Sergeant Newman said Greeff was identified on CCTV footage from the McDonald’s and the victim was not known to Greeff.
Solicitor Neesha Maidwell said Greeff had told her the victim “cut him off” in the drive-thru and he had built up anger from family problems that were occuring.
“He was hanging out with a group of mates and stupidly decided to release his anger on a stranger,” Ms Maidwell said.
“He had no idea there were children in the car at the time.”
Ms Maidwell said he had limited criminal history and was remorseful.
Greeff pleaded guilty to common assault in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday.
Magistrate Maxine Baldwin fined him $800 and ordered him to pay $750 restitution to the victim.
“I just can’t fathom what goes through your mind to go and approach a car that you thought cut you off,” Ms Baldwin said.
A conviction was recorded.
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