Nakonwell Gaulai, of Woodridge, sentenced for assaulting nine-year-old boy

A man who confronted a nine-year-old at a funeral has faced court after fracturing the boy’s nose.

Nakonwell Gaulai outside Beenleigh Magistrates Court

A Logan man has been sentenced for assaulting a nine-year-old boy said to be disrespecting a traditional Torres Strait Islander funeral.

Woodridge resident Nakonwell Gaulai, 19, pleaded guilty in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Wednesday, November 16, to one count of assault occasioning bodily harm.

The court heard Mr Gaulai was outside a Slacks Creek business on September 19 last year, when a nine-year-old boy and other children were seen riding around the area on their bikes.

“They (the children) were being rowdy and they provoked the defendant,” Crown prosecutor Kalinda Cheung said.

“The nine-year-boy sustained a clinical nasal fracture.”

Mr Gaulai’s lawyer, Layla King, said her client was offended by the children’s disruption of a traditional Islander funeral.

“They were doing sorry business, they were doing a traditional dance to send off a loved one that had passed away,” Ms King said.

“It was a friend of my client who had passed away from cancer.

“They (the children) had been asked to stop, but they continued to be rowdy.

“My client found it very disrespectful.”

Magistrate Ronald Kilner said the offence was an act of violence.

“I admit that the child was probably playing around but that does not give any excuses to engage in such a conduct with a child,” Mr Kilner said.

“You assaulted a nine-year-old child, he’s a mere boy, you’re a grown man.

“You caused a fractured nose and other bruising.

“I accept that this was a one off, but I reiterate, it was a nine-year-old boy.

“It doesn’t give you the right to go and take matters into your own hands.”

Mr Gaulai was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service.

Convictions were not recorded.