Andrew Luke Hunt faces Caboolture Magistrates Court on assault charge

A woman cried out as her partner was led to the cells after being sentenced for attacking a man with a beer jug at a Moreton pub because he was ‘staring’.

A man has been sentenced for assaulting a pub patron who ‘stared’ at him.

A court has heard how a man placed a 59-year-old Morayfield pub patron in a headlock and smashed him in the head with a beer jug inside a gaming area for “staring’’.

Andrew Luke Hunt, 33, appeared in the Caboolture Magistrates Court on August 18 charged with assault occasioning bodily harm.

The court heard that on February 8 at the Caboolture Sports Club, Hunt grabbed an empty plastic beer jug and approached the victim, who was seated at a gaming machine.

Hunt and the victim argued before Hunt took a hold of the victim’s neck with his forearm and put him in a headlock.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Catherine Dryburgh told the court Hunt then hit the victim on the side of the head with the beer jug and punched the victim as he fell to the ground.

Hunt and the victim entered into a verbal argument before Hunt took a hold of the victim’s neck with his forearm and put him in a headlock. Picture: File

“The defendant later told police the victim was staring at him whilst the defendant was at a poker machine,” Ms Dryburgh said.

“The defendant suggested at some point the victim was yelling at him.

“Given this incident took place in a licensed premises, the defendant had a number of other options available to him and there were security staff present, who could’ve intervened on the defendant’s behalf if the victim was creating an issue.

“I would suggest, given the age disparity between the parties, the defendant is fortunate not to be facing more serious charges, all the more so surrounding the publicity around the one punch can kill campaign.”

The court heard the victim suffered cuts to his skull, requiring four staples to the back of his head, a bruised hip and has since sought psychological treatment.

Ms Dryburgh highlighted to the court Hunt’s criminal history which included previous assault occasioning bodily harm charges and robbery.

Hunt hit the victim on the side of the head with the beer jug and punched the victim as he fell to the ground. Picture: File

Hunt’s lawyer said his client attended the funeral of his best friend on the day of this assault.

The court also heard Hunt’s mother was suffering from cancer and passed away a week or so later.

“He has a pretty unfortunate background which may to some extent help your honour to understand why he struggles with alcohol,” he said.

“His father hung himself when he was the age of four.

“His stepfather was involved in a tumultuous relationship with his mother.

“Our firm acted for his stepfather on a manslaughter charge.

“His stepfather unfortunately later overdose some years ago.

“My client realises his actions weren’t warranted.”

Hunt was in a de-facto relationship with a woman, who supported him in court.

He works on and off with his uncle or as a lawn mower man.

Magistrate James Blanch told Hunt his behaviour was disgraceful towards a man in his 50s minding his own business in the pub.

“You’ve taken a hold of the victim’s neck with your forearm, holding him in a headlock,” Mr Blanch said.

“You then hit the victim in the side of the head with the jug.

“You continued to hold the victim whilst hitting him more times in the head.

“He has fallen to the ground shouting for help, whilst you continued to punch the victim.

“Security guards moved you off the victim.

“The defendant has managed to break free of the security guards shouting, ‘come on c**t, I’ll stab you.”

Mr Blanch sentenced Hunt to 10 months imprisonment, with a parole release date of November 17, 2023.

A conviction was recorded.