Ryce Charles Thomas: Man slammed in Warwick court after ‘cowardly’ pub attack

‘Absolutely disgusting’: A man who unleashed a flurry of punches on another man who had already been knocked to the ground during a bar fight has been warned he could face jail time for future violent offending.

A Killarney man who repeatedly punched another man in the head after his victim had already been knocked to the ground during a fight at a popular pub has been warned he could face jail time if he repeats the violent, “cowardly” offending.

Ryce Charles Thomas was at the Killarney Hotel on the evening of July 21 when a fight broke out between other patrons near the bar.

Police prosecutor Steve de Lissa told Warwick Magistrates Court that the 23-year-old threw himself into the brawl and targeted a man who was already on his hands and knees on the ground, punching him in the back of the head about five times before being dragged away by other patrons.

“He continued to attempt to punch the other male whilst an associate of his kicked the male in the head and also kneed the other male person,” Sergeant de Lissa said.

The victim suffered bruising and swelling to his head, a bloody nose, and cuts on his face as a result of the attacks.

Thomas pleaded guilty to one count of committing a public nuisance within licensed premises, and told the Warwick court he was extremely embarrassed and ashamed of his actions.

“It was a very messy night and a lot of things happened very quickly, and I am willing to accept any consequences,” he said.

Acting magistrate Andrew Cridland slammed the Killarney man’s “cowardly” attack on a man who had already been knocked down by someone else, but said he would also take into account his clean criminal history and clear remorse.

“What has happened is absolutely disgusting,” Mr Cridland said.

“It’s a realistic forecast for you, Mr Thomas, that if you’re back before the court on anything like this again – even on a this charge, which is a minor charge – you can realistically expect that you would be spending at least three months in prison.”

Thomas was fined $1200 and no conviction was recorded.