Grant Kenny assault: Marshall Horne pleads guilty in Maroochydore court

The details of what sparked an assault on ironman legend Grant Kenny have been revealed during the sentencing of the Sunshine Coast businessman responsible.

A Sunshine Coast businessman who put ironman legend Grant Kenny in a headlock has been sentenced after pleading guilty to a downgraded charge.

Diddillibah man Marshall Horne, 56, originally pleaded not guilty in December, 2021 to one count of assault occasioning bodily harm and the matter was listed for a hearing.

However, the charge was downgraded in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on May 13, 2022, to one count of common assault, which Horne entered a plea of guilty to.

Prosecutor James Allen told the court the details of the assault that took place at an industrial shed in Kunda Park on October 28, 2021.

Mr Allen said Horne and Mr Kenny were known to each other prior to the incident as Horne had been leasing an industrial shed owned by Mr Kenny’s parents.

Marshall Horne. Picture: Sunshine Coast Daily

On the night of the assault, Mr Kenny was told that Horne was at the industrial shed even though his lease had been terminated some weeks prior.

When Mr Kenny confronted Horne about the matter, an argument started and he repeatedly told Horne that it was against the law for him to be at the premises.

Horne replied that he didn’t care and started to open the roller door to the shed.

Mr Kenny then grabbed hold of the chain to stop Horne from opening the shed door but Horne put his arm around Mr Kenny in a headlock.

“(Horne) tried to pull the victim (Mr Kenny) to the ground, the victim still had his hands in the roller door and his hand was being caught when (Horne) tried taking him to the ground,” Mr Allen told the court.

Horne eventually released Mr Kenny, who suffered cuts to his hands and soreness to his neck, back and shoulders.

Mr Kenny then told Horne he had been recording the incident on his mobile phone and called police.

Grant Kenny is an Ironman legend.

When police arrived, Mr Kenny showed them the video of the assault.

Defence barrister Simon Lewis said Horne had been operating his business for 13 years and the lease dispute had commercial lawyers involved as his client was seeking damages.

Mr Lewis said Horne still had some property left including eight pieces of steel that he was collecting from the site.

“There was some poor behaviour on both sides which landed everybody here today,” Mr Lewis said.

“It’s unlikely he will come back before the court again.”

Grant Kenny in action.

The court heard Horne had been volunteering at Sunshine Coast Grammar School at the time and has since had his blue card taken off him.

Mr Kenny is well known within the Sunshine Coast community and became a household name as the face of Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain, appearing in TV commercials for the cereal.

He’s well regarded in surf life saving circles and made headlines in 1980 when at just 16 he won the Australian Junior and Open Iron Man Championships on the same day.

Mr Kenny followed that up with wins in The Australian Open Ironman titles during the following three years.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist placed Horne on a good behaviour bond of $1000 for a period of 12 months.

No conviction was recorded.