Jacob Besant pleads guilty to kebab shop assault in Ocean St, Maroochydore

A court has heard how a Sunshine Coast construction worker violently bashed an Ocean St punter over an argument about their place in a takeaway shop’s line.

Jacob Craig Besant leaving Maroochydore Magistrates Court on a previous occasion. Picture: Patrick Woods

A construction worker has avoided jail after he assaulted a man following an argument in a Sunshine Coast kebab shop.

Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard on Monday how Jacob Craig Besant, 25, attacked his victim after a verbal altercation about who was first in line at the takeaway venue along Maroochydore’s infamous Ocean St on October 30, 2022.

Police facts say the victim was with his girlfriend at the kebab shop about 3am when he recalled having an argument with Besant over whose order was next.

Court documents state that CCTV captured the seconds where Besant punched the victim, which caused him to fall to the ground.

Video footage showed several more punches being rained down on the victim before security restrained him.

Besant was given a fine for public nuisance as the victim could not be located. He was later charged with assault, which he pleaded guilty to in court on Tuesday.

Court documents state the victim suffered injuries to his face and teeth and was required to visit a general practitioner and a dentist.

Police prosecutor Michael Quirk said it was “yet another example of alcohol fuelled violence” in the safe night precinct, with no provocation from the victim at all.

Besant pleaded guilty to assault. Picture: Patrick Woods

Defence lawyer Belinda Robinson told the court the former NSW resident, who had links to Tweed Heads, moved to Queensland two years ago and previously worked as a butcher. The Peregian Springs man now works in the construction industry.

Ms Robinson said his girlfriend was pregnant and financially dependent on Besant, who would suffer with her finances if he was incarcerated.

His solicitor spoke of Besant’s prejudicial upbringing and how he grappled with drinking during his life. The court heard he was drinking every weekend in the lead up to the assault.

Ms Robinson said the 25-year-old did not know the victim and only partly recalled the offending which included getting into an argument with the victim about who was first in line at the kebab shop.

The court heard the Peregian Springs man had since sought counselling, stopped drinking and was remorseful.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist said it was “gratuitous violence” at night time, but opted not to send him into custody.

Besant was instead handed 15 months’ jail, suspended for 18 months. He must also pay $2000 in compensation to the victim.