Man hospitalised, security guards punched in ‘disappointing’ series of assaults

Despite increased police patrols of the Airlie Beach party precinct, four people have been assaulted at licensed premises in the past week.

Whitsunday Police responded to multiple reports of assaults in the Airlie Beach Safe Night Precinct over the past week. File photo

A tourist was hospitalised with a suspected broken jaw following an alleged assault outside an Airlie Beach bar at the weekend.

He was just one of four people allegedly assaulted at licensed premises in the Airlie Beach Safe Night Precinct in the past week in what Whitsunday Police have described as an “unfortunate” response to their ongoing campaign against anti-social behaviour.

The other alleged victims were all security guards assaulted in the course of their work.

Whitsunday Police Officer-in-Charge Sergeant Nathan Blain said two security guards aged in their early 20s were headbutted and punched in an assault occasioning bodily harm at a licensed premises about 1.30am on Saturday May 15, with the offender allegedly fleeing the scene before being tracked down by police.

Police allege a 42-year-old security guard was grabbed by the shirt with both hands and pushed over the back of a chair inside a licensed premises about 10.15pm on Tuesday, May 18.

And a 31-year-old Brisbane man suffered significant facial injuries when two men allegedly assaulted him as he lay on the ground outside Beaches Bar about 10pm on Sunday, May 16. The swelling and bruising to his face was so severe, he was taken to hospital where X-rays ruled out a jaw fracture.

Sgt Blain said a 31-year-old Blackwater man and a 35-year-old Cannonvale man had been charged in relation to the alleged security guard assaults.

The May 16 incident was still under investigation, with police appealing for witnesses to come forward with information.

In response to the violence, Sgt Blain said enhanced police patrols of the Safe Night Precinct would continue, with a zero-tolerance policy for anti-social behaviour.

“Security guards are not punching bags – no one is a punching bag – so we’ll be following up every complaint we get,” he said.

Sgt Blain urged patrons to “play by the rules” on nights out in the popular tourist spot, warning anyone caught “playing up” could face public nuisance charges or worse.

“Early intervention is better than picking up the pieces afterwards,” he said.

“But people have got to be responsible for their own actions.

“We know people come here for a good time, but we’re just urging people to use common sense, and that doesn’t just apply to the visitors, it’s the locals as well.

“Everyone needs to do the right thing.”