Marshall Horne pleads not guilty to assaulting Grant Kenny

A Sunshine Coast man accused of putting ironman legend Grant Kenny in a chokehold has slammed what he claims is an ‘unreasonable’ delay to the case.

A Sunshine Coast businessman accused of injuring ironman legend Grant Kenny when he allegedly put him in a chokehold claims a delay to the case until early-2022 is unfair.

Marshall Horne, of Diddillibah, pleaded not guilty in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday to one count of assault occasioning bodily harm in Kunda Park on October 28.

Mr Horne’s solicitor Ben Rynderman asked for the matter to be adjourned for a summary trial.

Magistrate Rod Madsen was looking for a date in January when Mr Horne said the delay was “unreasonable” and made mention to the evidence of the case.

Marshall Horne faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday after he was charged for assaulting Grant Kenny on October 28 in Kunda Park. Picture: Laura Pettigrew

Mr Madsen was stern with the business owner when he warned him about interrupting during the mention.

“Stop interrupting people in court, that’s what you’ve got a solicitor for,” he said.

“If you want to keep it up I will remind you of some provisions under the justices act that Mr Rynderman would be acutely aware of.”

Mr Madsen said he would instead list the matter for a hearing on February 25.

“It’s got nothing to do with you, it’s got everything to do with making sure there is no stuff ups with the availability of witnesses, but if you want to take that chance take the chance,” he said to Mr Horne.

Outside court Mr Horne said he couldn’t comment on the matter while it was before the court.

Mr Horne said he didn’t feel very comfortable in the courtroom.

Mr Madsen had wished Mr Horne “good luck” on Thursday.

Sunshine Coast Criminal Investigation Branch officer-in-charge Craig Mansfield told the Daily police would allege Mr Kenny was trying to close a roller door when Marshall Horne allegedly put him in a chokehold and pulled him to the ground.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mansfield said the allegations suggested the alleged victim had got his hand stuck in a chain mechanism.

He described the incident as a “wrestle”.

Despite his sporting and business success, Mr Kenny is well known on the Sunshine Coast for keeping a low public profile.

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.

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

Mr Kenny became a household name as the face of Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain, appearing in TV commercials for the cereal.