Ex-security guard Mitchell Johnston pleads guilty to assaulting punter at Ocean St nightclub

A former Sunshine Coast security officer has been jailed after he smuggled a weapon into a popular nightclub and committed a “cowardly” and “unprovoked” assault on a punter.

Mitchell Kyle Johnston was taken into custody following his sentence at the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Tuesday. Picture: David Clark

A Marcoola security guard has been jailed for a “cowardly” attack with knuckle dusters on an unsuspecting punter in a Maroochydore nightclub.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist quizzed in court on Tuesday how Mitchell Kyle Johnston, 26, was able to smuggle the weapon into the Parental Guidance nightclub on Ocean St on March 9 before the assault.

This violent attack was retold in Maroochydore Magistrates Court after Johnston pleaded guilty to assault while armed, unlawful possession of weapons and two counts of possessing s4 or s8 medicines.

The court heard the victim was speaking to another punter at the nightclub when the 26-year-old approached from behind and punched him to the side of the head with knuckle dusters equipped.

The victim recalled spotting Johnston, who was muscular with visible tattoos, in his peripheral. He stated the punch “stung”.

Johnston then delivered another slug to the man’s face.

Police prosecutor Jeanette Grigoris said there was some premeditation and planning involved as Johnston not only took the weapon into the Ocean St nightclub, but placed them on his hands before the attack.

Johnston was led away to custody on Wednesday. Picture: Instagram

Mr Stjernqvist said bizarrely, the victim was evicted from the nightclub, and not Johnston.

The court heard it took two approaches by the victim to police outside before he was helped.

A search warrant at Johnston’s home on March 26 uncovered the knuckle dusters.

Sergeant Grigoris said in the victim’s impact statement the punter stated he suffered stitches to his nose which left scars and was forced to take a week off work.

“The assault was completely unprovoked, it was cowardly and it was gratuitous in nature,” the police prosecutor said.

He pleaded guilty to four charges. Picture: David Clark

She said the attack was aggravated as the Marcoola man worked as a security officer on Ocean St until his accreditation was suspended.

The police prosecutor agreed with Mr Stjernqvist on not understanding how Johnston was able to get into the nightclub with the weapon.

“I do, his employment,” the magistrate replied.

Mr Stjernqvist recited some of the evidence before the court, where a security officer at the venue identified Johnston as a fellow guard.

He stated if someone had died at the nightclub, there would be a “significant inquiry” on how a weapon was able to be brought into the venue.

Defence lawyer Belinda Robinson said the Marcoola man had a difficult upbringing after a bout of salmonella affected his cognitive abilities and speech delay.

Ms Robinson said he was unable to read or write but had a good work history as a security guard and in mining as a fly in fly out worker.

The lawyer said in the 26-year-old’s time as a security officer he would help the police street beat by assisting intoxicated people on a night out.

She told the court Johnston was drunk at the time of the attacks and had a “heightened” fight or flight response. This was caused by his time as a security guard which left him “overly vigilant”.

Ms Robinson said she was instructed Johnston was being “protective” for his friend who was speaking to the victim and misread the situation.

She said Johnston, who was the primary carer for his mother, was deeply remorseful and said it was out of character.

Mr Stjernqvist said it appeared the 26-year-old did not go through any screen or detection process on the way into the venue, which allowed him to bring the knuckle dusters inside.

Johnston was jailed for 18 months, with a parole release date set at November 1.