Glenn William Smith sentenced for common assault at Kings Beach Tavern

A night out at a popular Sunshine Coast live music venue took a violent turn when a young patron was put in a headlock, forcing him to “tap out”, a court has been told.

Glenn William Smith leaving Caloundra Magistrates Court. Photo: Elizabeth Neil

A 52-year-old security guard for a popular Sunshine Coast live music venue has faced court after an altercation over vaping indoors led to him making a young patron ‘tap out’.

On Tuesday, July 5 Caloundra Magistrates Court heard Glenn William Smith was working as a security guard at the Kings Beach Tavern about 2am September 4, 2022 when he came across a 20-year-old patron carrying drinks he had bought while walking toward the restaurant.

Police prosecutor Phillip Stephens said Smith then spoke to the young man about where alcohol could be consumed at the venue, as well as where smoking and vaping was permitted in the vicinity.

Sergeant Stephens said the young man then turned back toward the main bar and took a “hit” of his vape when Smith grabbed hold of him, spilling some of his drinks.

The spill then caused the pair to slip, and Smith put the young man in a headlock, the court was told.

Glenn William Smith leaving Caloundra Magistrates Court. Photo: Elizabeth Neil

Sergeant Stephens said the young man struggled to breathe, and was forced to “tap out” by tapping Smith’s arm several times.

He was eventually let go, and the victim went outside and called police, showing them redness to his neck.

Sergeant Stephens said the victim claimed the attack was unprovoked, but Smith told police during an interview that he had tried to remove the vape from the victim because it was a non-smoking area.

The victim had gotten aggressive with him after he spilt some of his drinks, Smith told police.

Smith’s lawyer said he helped the victim up after the incident and sent him on his way.

She told the court Smith thought he had made it clear where the young man could vape and drink and that the victim was heading into a closed area where he could not do either of those things.

She noted the victim’s young age, but said he was of a solid build.

She told the court her client was a father-of-three who worked for an engineering company, but had worked as a security officer for more than a decade.

In that time, he had never received a complaint, she said.

Several references also spoke very highly of Smith, the court was told.

Magistrate Catherine Benson said the situation “got out of hand”.

Smith pleaded guilty to one charge of common assault. He was previously charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, the court was told, but this was downgraded due to the lack of injury.

He was fined $800 and a conviction was not recorded.