Protective father strikes back at the Eatons Hill Hotel

The court heard the father-of-three became aggressive when a security officer failed to account for his daughter’s medical requirements.

A protective father took it a step too far at the Eatons Hill Hotel this month when a fight to defend his daughter’s rights turned physical, the Pine Rivers Magistrates Court heard.

Paul Nicholas Brian Warren, 50, pleaded guilty to one charge of obstructing a police officer and one charge of removal of persons from premises.

The court heard Warren had been enjoying dinner with his family at the north Brisbane pub when his daughter, who has an amputated leg, needed to stand and stretch.

Paul Nicholas Brian Warren was moved to violence by the perceived unjustness of the COVID rules as they applied to his daughter, who has an amputated leg.

Defence lawyer Shaun Kolo instructed the court Warren’s daughter found it difficult to sit for long periods as it caused her significant physical discomfort.

COVID restrictions at the time prohibited patrons from standing, so a security officer approached the family to ask Warren’s daughter to take a seat or be kicked out.

Mr Kolo said the security guard acted “quite belligerent” towards Warren and his daughter when they protested the rule, stating the officer had failed to listen to or consider their reasoning.

Instead, the court heard the security officer grabbed Warren to eject him from the pub, sparking a brawl between the two that saw them wrestle to the ground.

Paul Nicholas Brian Warren is 50 years old with no criminal history.

Police were called to the scene at 10.30pm and upon arrival made multiple attempts to restrain Warren, but he kept resisting.

It took a push to the ground to handcuff the aggravated father, who soon settled down and identified himself.

At the police car Warren began to speak with police and changed his attitude yet again, attempting to walk away while they wrote up his infringement notice.

It was at this point Warren was arrested and charged.

Warren, who has no criminal history, was placed on a $250 good behaviour bond for six months and no conviction was recorded.