Reuben James Hazelman in Maroochydore court for Ocean St assault

A Sunshine Coast landscaper’s jealousy over seeing his love interest speaking to her ex sparked a violent outburst of punches to the head. Read what happened in court.

A Sunshine Coast landscaper’s jealousy over seeing his love interest speaking to her ex sparked a violent outburst of punches to the head.

When a Sunshine Coast landscaper saw his love interest speaking to her ex, he lashed out in a jealousy-fuelled “unprovoked” attack, a court was told.

Reuben James Hazelman, 19, was given one year probation after pleading guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm in Maroochydore Magistrates Court.

The court was told Hazelman saw a woman who he was in the early stages of a relationship with speaking to her ex.

He approached the pair at an Ocean St carpark on June 19, 2022.

Police prosecutor David Hoffman said Hazelman struck the man in the face seven times.

“The assault was done out of what appears to be jealousy over the witness in this matter,” Senior Constable Hoffman said.

The ex-boyfriend sustained swelling above his left eye and extreme soreness to his mouth.

The high level of pain was due to him having his wisdom teeth removed days prior, the court was told.

Defence solicitor Neesha Maidwell said her client made full admissions to the offending shortly after the attack and had been remorseful from the start.

Ms Maidwell said Hazelman had been out on Ocean St when his love interest said she wanted to go home and went back to the car.

“He too went back to the car to see if she was ok ... he saw the complainant crouching next to her and it was of Mr Hazelman’s understanding that she didn’t want anything to do with the complainant anymore,” Ms Maidwell told the court.

“Earlier in the night Mr Hazelman and the complainant had a previous interaction where Mr Hazelman asked the complainant to stay away from the witness.”

Ms Maidwell said her client initially walked away before he continued talking to the witness and began the attack.

“He describes his actions as completely unnecessary and stupid,” she said.

“His passion is playing rugby union and hopes to work his way up to play at a professional level again.”

The court was told Hazelman was no longer pursuing the woman.

Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin said it was just good luck that the victim wasn’t more seriously injured.

Hazelman was ordered to pay compensation of $1000 to the victim.

A conviction was not recorded.