Joseph Dean Keys in court for Caloundra RSL assault of police, security

A young man’s night out at a Sunshine Coast venue turned sour when his brother was evicted and he reacted by assaulting two security guards and two police officers.

Joseph Keys leaves Maroochydore District Court.

A 25-year-old Sunshine Coast man has been given community service after he assaulted two police officers and two security guards while being evicted from the Caloundra RSL.

It was after 1am on April 18, 2021, when the defendant Joseph Dean Keys was drinking with his brother Jacob at the venue.

Maroochydore District Court heard Jacob was drinking in the smoker’s area which wasn’t allowed and was asked to leave the RSL.

As his brother was being ushered out Keys intervened and grabbed a security officer by the neck who punched the 25-year-old in return.

Judge Glen Cash said Keys was restrained and started to be escorted out before he swung his arm around and with his elbow hit a second security guard.

Keys also punched him and spat at him in the face, the court heard.

Judge Cash said police arrived and tried to arrest Keys while he attempted to run away.

“Police caught you, as you were being handcuffed you pulled away, this motion caused the police officer to suffer an injury to her hand, you then pushed your forearm against her neck,” Judge Cash said.

“That caused her trouble breathing and she fell over, suffering some soft tissue injuries to her neck and to her face.”

Joseph Dean Keys.

A second police officer tackled Keys and he struggled, causing the officer minor injuries

Jacob Keys was charged only with obstructing police and public nuisance which he was fined for with no conviction recorded.

Keys’ defence barrister said he suffered Autism Spectrum Disorder and was on NDIS.

“He’s unlikely to understand nuances of social gestures or identify appropriate social responses or make sense of fast paced, complex situations,” the barrister said.

“Watching the CCTV footage it is his older brother Jacob who really inflames the situation and is defiant to the security officers.”

The barrister said Keys had no intention to hurt anyone but was in “flight” mode.

The court heard Keys didn’t often socialise with his brother and was remorseful for his actions which were “out of character”.

Judge Cash ordered Keys perform community service for 100 hours in the next 12 months and no conviction was recorded.

Keys pleaded guilty to six serious assaults, two counts of obstruct police and one count of public nuisance.