Gavin James Batchelor, 29 from Mt Warren jailed for Beenleigh McDonald’s, house party assault

A Logan meth addict’s violent outburst on his friend outside a McDonald’s and then later at a party, has seen him jailed for “unacceptable violence”, a court has heard.

Gavin James Batchelor, 29.

A Logan meth addict’s violent outburst on his friend outside a McDonald’s and then later at a party, has seen him jailed for “unacceptable violence”, a court has heard.

Beenleigh District Court heard on Monday, July 24 that Gavin James Batchelor violently assaulted a close friend and stole his wallet and phone.

The 29-year-old Mount Marren Park man bashed his 23-year-old friend outside a McDonald’s restaurant on July 13 last year.

The court heard he kicked the victim’s legs out from underneath him and punched him at Beenleigh McDonald’s.

Batchelor had also taken the man’s phone and wallet previously and they had argued over whether he would return it or not.

The next day, he apologised to his friend at a party in Beenleigh and said he would return his phone and wallet.

An argument erupted outside the house over a disputed $100 Uber bill and partygoers started to pull out weapons, the court heard.

Batchelor punched the victim in the face and he fell into a garden bed.

During the commotion, another man allegedly stabbed the victim in the elbow and ribs, which caused puncture wounds to the ribs and lacerations to the elbow.

Batchelor was not charged by Police for the stabbing but was prosecuted as a party to the offending.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm while armed in company and one count of common assault.

The court heard Batchelor had a longstanding issue with drug addiction — primarily with methamphetamine — but had made significant progress in his recovery since being incarcerated.

He had avoided drugs for one year and had a clearer mind, substantial insight into his behaviour and read every night in prison, heard the court.

Judge Craig Chowdhury said this offending would not be tolerated by the community and the courts.

“This violence simply cannot be tolerated in a civilised society,” he said.

“It is unacceptable and that is why you are being locked up.”

Batchelor was sentenced to two and a half years prison and released immediately on parole.

He had already served one year of pre-sentence custody.