Alec Sydney Charlwood in Cleveland court after birthday brawl

The owner of a southeast Queensland building design business turned his friend’s birthday bash into a violent brawl, jabbing a man in the throat and fighting off security guards.

Capalaba building design company owner Alec Sydney Charlwood has faced court.

A bayside man has faced court after a friend’s birthday turned into a violent fiasco where he was fought security guards and jabbed a man in the throat.

Capalaba building designer Alec Sydney Charlwood, 53, pleaded guilty in Cleveland Magistrates Court on Tuesday, February 28 to one count each of common assault, being refused entry into a licenced premise and resisting authorised persons after being refused entry to the premises.

The court heard Charlwood was at the Capalaba Bowls Club on January 14 this year when police were called.

“Police were called to assist two security guards holding down the restrained defendant,” the police prosecutor said.

“One of the security guards informed police that he had been assaulted.”

The court heard another man at the bowls club had become involved in an altercation with Charlwood.

“The complainant has told police that at 10.45pm he was walking around the car park when he observed the defendant yell to another male, “if you come back I’ll kick your a****,” the police prosecutor said.

“The complainant challenged the defendant who was up in his face.

“Inside the premises there was an altercation where the defendant got up in the complainant’s face and said ‘you’re not a tough c***’ while touching the complainant’s nose with his nose.

“The defendant then used his fingers and jabbed the complainant’s throat using medium force.”

The court heard the defendant was escorted outside by the two security guards.

“He attempted to get back inside four or five times where both security guards had to physically stop the defendant,” the police prosecutor said.

“The defendant repeatedly tried to get around the security guards to get to the complainant.

“The defendant then attempted to punch the complainant with a closed fist.”

Charlwood’s lawyer, William Hodgen, said his client was financially stressed at the time.

“He currently works as a building designer and has owned his own business since 2014,” Mr Hodgen said.

“The current economic climate, it’s had an enormous impact on my client, $10 grand a month is flying out the door.

“My client has attempted to explain the situation and has basically been ignored, these efforts have been an exercise of frustration.”

Magistrate Deborah Vasta said alcohol may have played part in his offending.

“Throwing punching at bouncers, that doesn’t sound like a man that is stone cold sober,” Ms Vasta said.

“Doesn’t seem to be the actions of a man that is thinking straight.

“I also understand that your wife has said you have been wracked with guilt from ruining the night for the birthday girl.”

Charlwood was put on a good behaviour bond of $500 for 12 months.

No conviction was recorded.