Byron Bay Great Northern Hotel security guard Mitchell John Gregory coward-punched, but faces court on charge

A Byron Bay security guard who pushed an ousted reveller baiting him to fight has landed in court – despite allegedly copping a coward punch in the fray. Here’s what we know.

The exterior of the popular Great Northern Hotel in northern NSW tourism hub Byron Bay.

A Byron Bay security guard who was allegedly coward punched during an altercation with patrons he had kicked out of the popular Great Northern Hotel was slapped with a charge.

The revellers were removed from the premises after allegedly being caught sneaking into the pub through the back door, Byron Bay Local Court heard.

Bouncer Mitchell John Gregory of Cumbalum pleaded guilty in the court on Monday to offensive behaviour in public.

The 27-year-old asked two men – now co-accused and also facing court – to leave the pub about 12am on May 17 last year, police state in court documents.

It’s alleged one of the men yelled at Gregory and threatened to bash him while walking slowly backwards and gesturing.

The man was allegedly making remarks about Gregory’s family. Picture: iStock

Gregory approached the man, pushed him in the chest and shoulder and grabbed his shirt.

It’s alleged a man bolted at Gregory and punched him in the back of the head from behind.

Both revellers were restrained and police arrived.

“(Gregory) had some red marks and bruising around his left eye and stated the back of his head was sore because he was hit there,” police state.

Officers asked Gregory what happened and he replied: “He f--king dog-shotted me.”

The co-accused allegedly hit Gregory in the back of the head. Picture: File

Gregory told police the men came “into our venue through the back door”.

“We tried to get them to leave. The whole time (the co-accused) tried acting hard out the front,” he said.

“I said ‘mate move 50 metres away. F--k off. F--k you, blah blah blah.”

Gregory said the co-accused had “come up behind me and punched me in the back of the head”.

“They pulled my jacket over me and both swung at my head,” he told police.

The co-accused denied the accusation and was arrested.

Defence lawyer Tom Ivey said Gregory, a father-of-three, had been under pressure at home.

Police charged Gregory with offensive behaviour following the incident. Picture: Sam Stolz

“On this occasion, he saw red and approached … ,” he said.

Mr Ivey alleged to the court a co-accused “was making personal and derogatory comments about (Gregory’s) family”.

“There was some push and shove and my client was King hit,” he said.

“He has had time to reflect on his self-control.”

Mr Ivey recommended a sentence of a conditional release order without recorded conviction.

Magistrate Karen Stafford agreed and sentenced Gregory to a year-long order – without a conviction.

More information is being sought about the fate of the co-accused men.