Joshua James Stewart sentenced for public nuisance, refusing to leave licensed premises

A Bayside man, known by the police for his anti-social drunken behaviour at several pubs and hotels around the region, has once again faced court for his derogatory boozy antics.

A Bayside man has faced court for his outrageous boozy antics.

A Macleay Island man, whose anti-social drunken behaviour has landed him behind bars previously, has faced the Cleveland Magistrates Court after a scuffle at a local hotel ended in a bloody nose.

Joshua James Stewart, 38, pleaded guilty to committing public nuisance in a licensed premises and failing to leave a licensed premises on Tuesday November 28. 2023.

A Police Prosecutor said Stewart committed the offences at the Redland Bay Hotel on November 3, 2023.

“At 7pm he approached a water fountain at the bar and started drinking from it,” the Sergeant said.

“A female staff member approached him and told him not to, he then proceeded to the pokies area where he started calling female staff members derogatory terms like ‘fat fools’ … he was asked to leave and failed to do so.

“He was escorted to the door by security and staff when he was involved in a scuffle at the door with another patron,” he said.

The court heard police arrived soon after who reported Stewart was “highly intoxicated”.

Stewart was on a return to prison warrant at the time for similar offending, the court was told.

Stewart, who represented himself, said he had a bloody nose he thinks he got from the “scuffle” upon his exit.

“It’s all a blur,” Stewart said.

Magistrate Deborah Vasta said she would take Stewart’s early plea of guilty into consideration when sentencing him.

“You have a history for offending at pubs and similar places when under the influence of alcohol,” Ms Vasta said.

“Three days after this offending you were sentenced for other charges too,” she said.

Stewart was encouraged to seek help for his issues with alcohol.

He was sentenced to one month imprisonment, suspended for 9 months and was released immediately.

Convictions were recorded.