Maximus James Meikle pleads guilty at Byron Bay court after spitting on Beach Hotel security guard

A Northern Rivers tradie who spat toward police from the balcony of a popular Byron Bay pub has been hauled before court for “disgusting behaviour”.

Maximus James Meikle outside Byron Bay Court House.

An Ocean Shores man with a previously clean record was “quite drunk” when he lobbed a gobful of spit at people standing below a balcony at a popular Byron Bay venue.

Maximus James Meikle pleaded guilty at Byron Bay Local Court on Monday to common assault.

The 22-year-old apprentice builder was at the Beach Hotel with friends when he committed the act about 9.45pm on February 25.

Police and security guards were at the Jonson St entrance monitoring patrons when a vape was thrown from the balcony onto the footpath, court documents state.

“Shortly after a spit came from above and landed on the ankle of a security guard,” police state.

Maximus James Meikle was punished for his “disgusting behaviour”.

The guard told police who marched upstairs to investigate.

“As officers reached the top, Meikle was observed rushing towards the doorway,” police state.

Police stopped him and viewed the hotel’s CCTV footage.

“Meikle is clearly captured leaning his upper body over the edge (of the balcony) to look down, and lean back before leaning over again and purposely spitting towards where police and the security guard were standing,” court documents state.

The Beach Hotel. Picture: Google

Defence lawyer Lochsley Robert Thomson said Meikle had an “unblemished criminal record” and was unlikely to commit a similar offence.

“He was quite drunk at the Beach Hotel and coughed up phlegm and tried to spit it on the roadway … he accepts it was reckless,” Mr Thomson said.

“He is genuinely shocked, embarrassed and shameful. He understands the magnitude of his actions.”

Police prosecutor Val Short said the CCTV footage shows it was a deliberate act.

Byron Bay Court House.

“There was nothing reckless about his actions, he had conversations with his friends about it and leaned over the balcony to see who was beneath it,” she said.

Magistrate Karen Stafford said Meikle could have been aiming at a police officer and was attempting to downplay his actions.

“You thought it would be hilarious - I do not buy the line it was reckless. Why else would you run?” She said.

“We’ve still got covid in the community. It’s disgusting behaviour.

“The law recognises young people can make stupid decisions.”

Ms Stafford sentenced Meikle to a two-year community release order without proceeding to conviction.