Oscar Flynn Oconnell and Ezra Owen Norris plead guilty in Noosa court

A magistrate has warned that “violence leads to more violence” following a melee near the Rolling Rock nightclub after a wait for a late-night snack erupted.

Two men involved in a brawl that started in a kebab shop line on Hastings St are not allowed within 50m of the Rolling Rock for a year.

Oscar Flynn Oconnell, 24 and Ezra Owen Norris, 29, both of Coolum Beach, pleaded guilty to a public nuisance offence each in the Noosa Magistrates Court on September 27, 2022.

Magistrate Bevan Hughes fined Norris $450 and Oconnell $200.

The defendants appeared separately and were represented by duty lawyer Bernard Bradley.

Police prosecutor Phillip Stephens said the pair was in line at the kebab shop in the Bay Village shopping centre about 11.20am on September 11, 2022, when Norris started the melee by punching another person in the face following a brief confrontation.

Oscar Flynn Oconnell outside the Noosa Courthouse.

The sergeant said Oconnell also punched several people during the violent brawl.

“Other members of the public have attempted to hold persons involved back but they continued to punch out,” Sergeant Stephens said.

Ezra Owen Norris has been banned from going within 50m of the Rolling Rock nightclub for a year.

The police prosecutor said the pair was ushered away from the area by members of the public and Norris continued to punch people who were leading them away.

The sergeant said another brawl erupted as Norris continued the fight.

Police found the pair outside a convenience store and they were arrested.

Sergeant Stephens asked the court to consider a banning order for the pair, which meant the defendants would not be allowed within 50m of the Rolling Rock nightclub for a year.

Mr Bradley said the offending was out of character for Oconnell.

The lawyer said Oconnell had become addicted to Xanax after trying to self-treat his anxiety.

He said the defendant had since reached out for help and was properly medicated on an antidepressant.

He said Oconnell’s addiction also contributed to his offending on the night and the defendant was booked to go into rehab to beat the Xanax reliance.

Mr Bradley said Oconnell was ashamed of his behaviour.

Mr Bradley said Norris, who is a bricklayer, was a little older than his co-accused and had the capacity to pay a fine.

The pair was banned from going within 50m of the Rolling Rock nightclub for a year.

No convictions were recorded.

“Violence leads to more violence and that is what has happened here,” Mr Hughes said.