Thomas Bowen in Brisbane court for nightclub spitting incident

A tennis coach has faced court for the “degrading” act he committed against a nightclub security guard while partying in Brisbane’s night-life precinct.

Thomas Hayato Bowen, 21, leaves the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday, March 13.

A promising young tennis coach spat in the face of a security guard who escorted him out of a nightclub under the false belief he was using drugs, a court has heard.

Thomas Hayato Bowen, 21, of Ashgrove appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday, March 13 and pleaded guilty to a count of common assault.

The court heard it was just after 1am on October 23 last year when Mr Bowen was escorted out of a Fortitude Valley nightclub by a security guard due to his “inappropriate behaviour” inside.

“As he was being escorted out by the victim, passing the front counter near the entrance, he turned around and deliberately spat at the victim which allegedly landed on the victim’s facial area,” police prosecutor Laura Cook said.

Mr Bowen was restrained by the victim and police were called. He was arrested for assault and officers reviewed CCTV footage which “clearly” showed him spitting at his victim.

Defence barrister Matt Jackson told the court his client was young and acted impulsively on the night in question while affected by a level of intoxication.

He said Mr Bowen felt a “misguided sense of injustice” as he was asked to leave the premises by security who believed he was using drugs.

“That was denied by my client on the night and is denied by him today,” Mr Jackson said.

“That is tragically what caused him to commit the degrading act.”

He said Mr Bowen was then stripsearched by police, whereby no drugs were produced, and held in a watch-house for five hours.

Mr Jackson noted Mr Bowen was supported in court by his parents, including his father who is a practising solicitor with law firms in Brisbane and Cairns.

The court heard the young man attended a Brisbane high school and currently worked as a tennis coach.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Stephen Courtney considered Mr Bowen’s early plea of guilty, the “degrading” nature of his offending, and his lack of a criminal history when deciding an appropriate penalty.

Mr Bowen agreed to complete 80 hours of community service and pay $250 compensation to his victim. No conviction was recorded.