Lee Harry Lawrence White pleads guilty to common assault outside Ocean St nightclub

A self employed concreter has admitted to a ‘disgusting’ act on a woman who was minding her business in a safe night precinct.

Lee Harry Lawrence White faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Picture: Patrick Woods

A concrete boss has been placed on probation after spitting in a woman’s face during a drunk night out on the Sunshine Coast.

Lee Harry Lawrence White’s victim was lining up at the Maroochydore nightclub Zyped on Ocean St in the early hours of New Year’s Day when the 24-year-old committed a gross act against the woman.

Magistrate Rod Madsen said in court on Wednesday the Palmview man accidentally stood on her foot, to which she replied “excuse me”.

Mr Madsen said White then turned around and spat directly in her face while “very drunk” at the time.

“All she was doing was standing in the line,” he told White.

White was charged with common assault and contravening a police requirement to go to the police station on February 6. He pleaded guilty to both charges in court on Wednesday.

Police prosecutor Tara Miles said the 24-year-old had a history of public nuisance and wilful damage.

White pleaded guilty. Picture: Patrick Woods

Defence solicitor Jacobus Malan said the concreting business owner had a history of alcohol abuse and worked in an industry which was rife with a drinking culture. The court heard he planned to explore alternative work in the future.

Mr Malan said the Palmview man was remorseful for the spit attack and completed rehabilitation, which included admission to a clinic in Gympie for three months.

After hearing submissions, Mr Madsen plainly told White his offence was “degrading and disgusting”.

He said he could infer it would have had an effect on the victim with it being “bum luck” the spit did not go into her mouth.

Mr Madsen accepted the 24-year-old showed insight into his issues, received counselling and had the support of his family, however referenced the sentence of fallen cricket star Michael Slater on Tuesday and how Judge Glen Cash acknowledged the effect Slater’s alcoholism had on his life at the age of 55.

Mr Madsen said a probation order would help White address his alcohol issues.

The concreter was placed on two years’ probation, fined $400, and ordered to pay compensation of $750 to the victim.

A conviction was recorded.