Coffs mechanics embroiled in violent crime outside pub, court hears
A court heard how COVID-19 restrictions on poker machines at a local pub sparked a chain of events which ended in several people being charged.
Police & Courts
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A court has heard of the moment a group of mechanics became embroiled in a melee outside a Coffs Coast pub after being targeted by a mystery man in “grey tracksuit pants.”
The details of the June 2020 incident were revealed at Coffs Harbour Local Court this week when Craig William Mallett, one of the mechanics, appeared for sentencing.
The Woolgoolga man, 35, was charged with affray in relation to the incident however this was later withdrawn and he pleaded guilty to a charge of common assault.
The court heard Mallett, his employer and a colleague were unwinding at an Ocean Parade pub after a “long week” and were at the poker machine area when an unknown male began arguing with a female security guard.
It was heard the man became argumentative in relation to the COVID-19 restrictions that were in place at the poker machine areas.
The court heard the male then began verbally abusing Mallett’s colleague, making offensive comments about his weight, and prompting Mallett to tell the man to calm down.
The man was then asked to leave the premises by the security guard, however the court heard from the defence that CCTV footage “clearly” showed the unknown male and a group waiting for the three men in the parking lot.
The court heard a fight then broke out and Mallet took a man to the ground in a headlock in order to protect his colleague, leading to the assault charge.
Mallett’s lawyer pointed out to Magistrate Ian Rodgers that there was a level of provocation in the “unfortunate and unplanned” incident.
The Magistrate took this into account when handing down a sentence, however he noted Mallett had a criminal history involving violence.
Mallett was convicted and sentenced to a Community Corrections Order for 12 months, and as part of this he must undertake 100 hours of community service.
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