Gabriel Peter Benson in Maroochydore court for arson, assault, affray

A Sunshine Coast cafe worker and aspiring rapper has faced court after he assaulted a stranger at McDonalds and set a car on fire with a group of friends.

A Beerwah cafe worker and aspiring rapper’s offending has been described as “stupid” and “senseless” after he attacked a man at McDonalds and was involved in setting a car on fire alongside a group of friends.

Gabriel Peter Benson, 19, was placed on probation for two years and ordered to complete 80 hours community service for a year in Maroochydore District Court on May 23, 2022.

Crown prosecutor Madalyn Olivero said Benson was with a group of friends on November 18, 2020, when he was seen filling up a jerry can with fuel at a service station at Glass House Mountains.

A short time later he was involved in setting an abandoned Holden Commodore on fire that was parked on the side of Steve Irwin Way, Glass House Mountains.

Benson was prosecuted as a party to the arson and Judge Byrne said he had not distanced himself from the plan.

Gabriel Peter Benson pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm whilst in company, arson and affray.

While on bail for the arson, Benson was at McDonalds in Caloundra when he assaulted a stranger at 11.15pm on January 6, 2022.

The victim and his friend had been drinking at the Caloundra RSL before going to McDonalds and watching a fight between a group of young men that Benson was a part of.

The 25-year-old victim asked the group to relax before he was pushed and another fight broke out.

Ms Olivero told the court Benson repeatedly punched the victim, knocking him to the ground.

Benson continued to assault the man before he was dragged away by his friends.

Judge Byrne said the victim suffered bruising to his face and Benson told police he couldn’t remember the entirety of the incident due to being drunk.

“(The arson) was a senseless act of stupid young men, but you’ve compounded it by the assault,” Judge Byrne said.

Gabriel Peter Benson pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm whilst in company, arson and affray.

Defence barrister Mark Dixon said his client was working at The Local cafe in Beerwah doing dishes and service.

Mr Dixon said Benson was young and had entered an early plea of guilty.

The court heard Benson had a stable and supportive family and was educated to Year 11.

Benson pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm whilst in company, arson and affray.

Judge Byrne said his conduct was consistent with an “immature young man” and did not record convictions against the 19-year-old.