XXXX Gold fan blames Airlie Beach offending on intolerance for heavy beer

Mature-aged men facing court this week after nights out in Airlie Beach had some unusual explanations for their offensive behaviour.

Proserpine Magistrates Court heard a soon-to-be grandfather punched a security guard after too many heavy beers during happy hour. Picture: Supplied

A handbag mix up and a happy hour deal too good to pass up are some of the latest excuses offered up by offenders facing court after violent outbursts in Airlie Beach.

Proserpine machinery operator Jason Mark Dalby and Sunshine Coast mine worker Joseph Andrew Fitzpatrick this week pleaded guilty to separate public nuisance incidents occurring in the night-life precinct in June, with Proserpine Magistrates Court hearing some amusing explanations from the mature-aged offenders.

The court heard Dalby, 47, got into a fight with another man outside Mama Africa nightclub on Shute Harbour Rd about 3am on June 20, while Fitzpatrick, 45, punched a security guard then resisted arrest at the nearby Beaches Bar and Grill about 10pm on June 26.

Solicitor Elizabeth Smith told the court Dalby’s fight started because both men involved were mistaken about the owner of a handbag and jacket Dalby had taken from a venue – each man believing the items belonged to their respective girlfriends, when in fact, they belonged to neither.

The court heard Fitzpatrick’s offending occurred during a night out to enjoy live music that went awry “because it was happy hour and heavy beer was the cheapest”.

“I don’t drink heavy beer usually,” the father of four told the court, explaining he normally preferred the mid-strength XXXX Gold.

Magistrate Athol Kennedy sentenced Dalby and Fitzpatrick to 40 hours’ community service each, and placed both men on $400 good behaviour bonds for eight-months.

Convictions were not recorded.

Fitzpatrick, who pleaded guilty to public nuisance as well as fail to leave licensed premises and obstruct police, was advised to stay off the heavy beer for life.