Anthony John Joyce sentenced in Proserpine court for assault

A man has faced court after he ripped out a chunk of a security guards beard when he was asked to leave a nightclub.

Anthony John Joyce faced Proserpine Magistrates Court on April 17, 2025, charged with assault, failing to leave a licensed premises, and obstructing a police officer.

A man who was asked to leave an Airlie Beach nightclub instead assaulted a security guard and tore out a part of his beard.

Anthony John Joyce, 44, had been at Boom Nightclub on November 16 about 12.35am when CCTV showed him being asked to leave the premises, which he refused to do.

Two security officers attempted to escort Mr Joyce out of the nightclub when he began yelling in one of the officers’ faces before struggling and then grabbing the officers beard, ripping out a chunk.

Proserpine Magistrates Court heard on April 17 that right before he grabbed the security guard’s beard his glasses were knocked off, so while he did reach out and grab at the security guard, it was not his intention to tear at his beard.

Jarrod Bell, solicitor at Bell Dore Lawyers appeared on behalf of Mr Joyce and told the court the father-of-one moved from Brisbane to the Whitsundays for a fresh start after “a few things started to fall apart” in his life including the passing of his father, the dissolution of his marriage, and the loss of his business, home, and inheritance after filing for bankruptcy.

The court heard after moving to the Whitsundays he got involved in a drinking culture with work colleagues which led to the incident at Boom Nightclub.

Mr Bell said Mr Joyce was remorseful for his actions.

Acting Magistrate Nigel Rees said it was obvious Mr Joyce had an issue with the grog.

“The reality is he started his criminal career at 43, he’s 44 now, so clearly something’s gone off the tracks in his life,” he said.

Mr Bell told the court there were questions as to what he would learn through a period of probation, especially considering he was already seeing a counsellor.

He added compensation could be appropriate given “the whole experience was no doubt uncomfortable and not pleasant” for the security guard.

Mr Bell said recording convictions would affect his client’s employment at a mine site, adding he was regularly tested for drugs and alcohol while on site.

“Shame they’re not parenting him when he is on his off swing,” said Magistrate Rees.

Mr Joyce was initially charged with serious assault of a person over 60 but that charge was dismissed and replaced with the substitute charge of common assault.

He pleaded guilty to assault, failing to leave a licensed premises, and obstructing a police officer.

Magistrate Rees said it was lucky Mr Joyce’s son was in Brisbane so he would not see his father carrying on like a teenager.

“What type of example do you think you’re setting him?” he said.

“You need to grow up.”

He was fined $350 and ordered to pay $1000 compensation for the assault.

In relation to the fail to leave charge he was fined $806, and for obstructing a police officer he must serve 40 hours of unpaid community service.

No convictions were recorded.