Jackson Charles Taylor: Logan man sentenced for ‘coward punch’ at nightclub

A Logan father has been sentenced for “coward punching’’ a man who made fun of his haircut at a Sunshine Coast nightclub.

A drunk Logan father punched a stranger in the face because he was upset about comments the victim made about his haircut, a court has heard.

Jackson Charles Taylor, 27, faced Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Friday (July 29) where he pleaded guilty to one charge of assault occasioning bodily harm.

Police prosecutor Tim Wise said the charge related to an alcohol-fuelled incident in September last year at a nightclub in Maroochydore.

The court heard the venue was closing and patrons were moving outside when a man made some negative comments about Taylor’s haircut.

Mr Wise said Mr Taylor responded by punching the man in the face.

The victim attended hospital but did not suffer ongoing physical injuries.

The court heard the victim had had significant mental trauma since the attack and now thought twice about going outside at night.

Defence solicitor Jack Volkers said the incident was isolated and occurred while Mr Taylor was severely intoxicated.

He said Mr Taylor was not a regular drinker but had attended a wedding on the day.

His offending was “completely out of character”.

The court also heard Mr Taylor accepted he acted in an inexcusable way.

The young father-of-one, a carpenter, travelled to and from his Regent’s Park home as a fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) worker.

Mr Volkers said Mr Taylor had not committed any offences since the assault.

Acting magistrate Ross Woodford took into account Mr Taylor’s plea of guilty and that it seemed his behaviour was out of character.

He told Mr Taylor he was lucky, to an extent, that his “coward punch” did not cause his victim any permanent injuries.

Mr Taylor was fined $2000 and ordered to pay $1000 compensation to his victim for pain and suffering.

No conviction was recorded.