Lee Harry Lawrence White fined for Chancellors Tavern attack

A Sunshine Coast businessman who blamed peer group pressure for getting blackout drunk and throwing a haymaker at a pokie goer has run out of chances in court.

A Sunshine Coast businessman caught with celebratory cocaine blamed peer group pressure for getting blackout drunk and throwing a haymaker at a pokie goer, a court has heard.

Lee Harry Lawrence White was fined $1200 after he pleaded guilty to three offences including committing a public nuisance within a licensed premise, possessing dangerous drugs and wilful damage on April 7, 2022.

Police prosecutor Mark Burrell told Maroochydore Magistrates Court White had followed a man from the pokies and pushed on his shoulder before becoming violent at the Chancellors Tavern in Sippy Downs.

“ … (White) swung a wide closed fist, haymaker-style punch at (the man’s) head striking him in the face,” Senior Constable Burrell said.

The man tried to defend himself and walk away from White when the 21-year-old tried to punch him with boxing style blows.

Constable Burrell said staff had to intervene before police arrested White.

He said they had placed the Sippy Downs man in the police car when he forcibly kicked and broke the window.

White also admitted to having 0.92g of cocaine and said he was using the drug because it was his birthday.

Constable Burrell said White had previously been given probation for trespassing and had been given previous opportunities to avoid criminal convictions.

He asked for White to be fined and for a conviction to be recorded.

Lee Harry Lawrence White pleaded guilty to three offences including committing a public nuisance at a Sippy Downs tavern. Picture: Sunshine Coast Daily.

Duty Lawyer David Crews said the 21-year-old had gone to a work function on the night and accepted alcohol was behind his offending.

Mr Crews described White as being blackout drunk and having no recollection of the offences.

“Work colleagues thought it would be fun to do cocktails or shooters, he succumbed to peer group pressure and … he drank too much,” he said.

He said the concrete company owner received counselling for significant trauma.

Mr Crews said given his young age Acting Magistrate John Milburn could give White another opportunity to avoid a conviction.

He said White had no aspirations of returning to study, but could be impacted by a conviction if he chose to travel or become a director of his company.

The court heard White had spent a night in the watch house.

Mr Milburn said White was to blame for the offences that caused harm.

He noted White’s age, rehabilitation prospects and contribution to the community through his business.

Mr Milburn said the 21-year-old had been given opportunities from the court and decided convictions should be recorded.

“You have much to lose as result of this type of offending,” he said.