Zachary James Howson jailed for grievous bodily harm

A rugby union star will spend Christmas behind bars for a vicious attack at a Hastings St bar, which left a stranger with partial facial paralysis and hearing loss.

Zachary Howson, 26, will spend Christmas behind bars after he was jailed over a violent attack at a Noosa bar in 2021.

A rugby union star will spend Christmas behind bars after he was jailed over a vicious assault at a Hastings St bar in 2021.

Zachary James Howson, 26, was supported by several people in the public gallery on December 4 as the Maroochydore District Court heard details of the attack from September 5, 2021.

Crown prosecutor Nicola Hamilton said Howson had been drinking at a Hastings St bar when he opened a door to go onto a balcony area with such force it hit the wall behind it.

Ms Hamilton said a 22-year-old man, who was standing nearby and did not know Howson, then slapped him on the bottom as he walked past and said words to the effect of “if you want to stay in the bar, calm or settle down”.

Howson reacted by kicking out sideways towards the man before the man shoved him in the shoulder

Howson then swung punches at the man while holding a cup in each hand, before he picked him up and body slammed him into the ground, knocking the man unconscious.

Ms Hamilton said the noise of the man’s body hitting the ground could be heard over the music blaring inside.

Howson called triple-0 before he left the scene. He handed himself into police two days later.

Ms Hamilton told the court the victim suffered a fractured skull, a ruptured eardrum and ruptured ligament near his collarbone.

He struggled with facial nerve palsy, with the right side of his face paralysed, and has mild to moderate hearing loss.

Zachary James Howson leaving Noosa Magistrates Court. Picture: Laura Pettigrew

Ms Hamilton said prescription steroids had helped with the paralysis but the man never regained his hearing.

She said it was estimated the man lost around $24,000 in medical bills and loss of work.

Barrister Nathan Turner said his client’s actions were not a premeditated attack and he had remained offence free since his arrest.

He handed up letters of reference detailing Howson as a “family man” who “looks after others” and was not normally a violent man, the court was told.

Howson had attended several alcoholics anonymous meetings since the incident.

He has played rugby union at a representative level for various teams including the Noosa Dolphins and Queensland country teams.

The court was told the attack happened on the eve of Father’s Day, and Howson had planned to visit his late father’s grave with his mother.

Mr Turner said his client accepted he “overreacted” to the stranger’s actions and was willing to pay $10,000 in compensation.

Howson had previously pleaded guilty to one charge of grievous bodily harm.

He was sentenced to two and a half years behind bars, but will be released on parole after four months in April 2024. An order for compensation was not made.

A conviction was recorded.