Jackson James Larkins: Dad slammed for ‘cowardly’ attack over a game of pool

A young dad “cowardly” punched a man in the back of the head during a drunken fight at Fitzy’s Waterford Hotel.

A young dad “cowardly” punched a man in the back of the head during a drunken fight over pool tables at Fitzy’s Waterford Hotel.

Jackson James Larkins, 26, pleaded guilty in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Thursday to assault occasioning bodily harm and common assault.

Jackson James Larkins, 26. Picture: Facebook

The court heard Larkins got into an altercation with a man over the use of a pool table at Fitzy’s Waterford Hotel on November 6 last year.

Larkins pushed the victim in the chest with both hands, causing him to stumble and collide with the wall.

The court heard the pair then agreed to continue their fight outside the venue.

Larkins attacked the victim from behind, punching him to the right side of his head.

The victim collapsed and struck his head against the automatic sliding doors at the venue, causing them to break.

The victim was in the hospital for two days and needed stitches to his eyebrow.

Magistrate Michael O’Driscoll described his attack as “cowardly” and “gratuitous”.

The court heard Larkins had a limited criminal history with a common assault conviction from 2018.

Larkins’ lawyer told the court his client had been drinking excessively at the time and dealing with the recent passing of his father.

He was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

He was also ordered to pay $1000 in compensation to the victim for pain and suffering.