It took three officers to get Murdock in the back of the police pod

A Townsville builder who drunkenly threatened to punch a North Queensland security guard’s “face in” has been ordered to complete community service.

A TOWNSVILLE builder who drunkenly threatened to punch a North Queensland security guard’s “face in” has been ordered to complete community service.

Thirty-nine-year-old Finn Patrick Murdock pleaded guilty in Townsville Magistrates court to two charges of commit public nuisance within licenced premises and a count of obstruct police officer.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Erin Collis told the court that Murdock had been drinking at the Barron Valley Hotel in Atherton on September 18 when security tried to kick him out for trying to fight other patrons at 1.05am.

Townsville builder Finn Patrick Murdock was told to rethink his relationship with alcohol after threatening a security guard and obstructing police.

Murdock then tried to pick a fight with a security guard and threatened to “punch his face in” outside the hotel, and that his behaviour was blocking other customers from leaving the venue.

Before walking away he shouted at security, asking them “do you know who I am, I have been to jail before”.

The publican told police Murdock had been “off his face” drunk, and had been staying in a room in the hotel.

At 1.10am, police saw Murdock sit down in a doorway.

When they asked his name, he swore and screamed at them despite being warned not to.

It took three officers to lift Murdock off the ground and put him in the back of the police pod, and he “kicked” and screamed the entire trip.

Senior Constable Collis said Murdock had to be moved to a padded cell at the watchhouse.

Murdock’s lawyer told Magistrate Ken Taylor the self-employed father-of-two had a “limited memory” of the night, and had spent six hours in the watchhouse.

The court heard Murdock had a history of obstructing police but not of public nuisance.

Mr Taylor told Murdock he had “reached the stage of life and age” where he should “revisit” his relationship with alcohol.

Murdock was fined $700 and ordered to complete 40 hours of community service.

A conviction was recorded.

Originally published as It took three officers to get Murdock in the back of the police pod