Joseph John Langbein punched Goulburn Workers Club employee 33 times

A man who unleashed on a Goulburn Workers Club security guard - punching him a staggering 33 times in an unprovoked alcohol-fuelled attack has had his sentence reduced.

A Goulburn man who unleashed on a worker at Goulburn Workers Club employee - punching him a staggering 33 times all because he didn’t want to leave the venue, has successfully appealed his sentence.

Joseph John Langbein, 33, appeared at Goulburn District Court on Thursday, having previously pleaded guilty on November 17 last year to common assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and excluded person failing to leave premises when required.

Court documents state Langbein entered the Goulburn Workers Club about 11pm on July 17, consuming a number of drinks before he started playing poker.

Joseph John Langbein punched a security guard at Goulburn Workers Club 33 times.

The Goulburn Shed Builders owner first came to the notice of security guard Muzzafar Ali, who became “suspicious” about 1am when Langbein started yelling loudly every time he won, according to court documents.

Then about 3am, facts show Langbein started bashing the buttons of the poker machine loudly, when Mr Ali approached him and asked him to stop.

As Mr Ali turned Langbein’s chair and asked him to leave again, facts reveal he threatened him, saying “If you touch me again, I’ll hit you.”

When the guard touched Langbein’s upper arm to again ask him to leave, documents show that Langbein swung his beer bottle at the victim, which hit him on the side of the cheek before he started punching him 33 times.

Langbein was eventually held down on the floor until police arrived to arrest him.

Joseph John Langbein pleaded guilty at Goulburn Local Court on November 17. Picture: Niki Iliagoueva

The court heard Mr Ali told the police the only injury he sustained was a lump on the back of his head.

At an earlier court date, Magistrate Geraldine Beattie described the incident as “completely unwarranted, inexcusable and unacceptable.”

“It’s a very serious assault occasioning bodily harm given how many times you’ve hit him,” Magistrate Beattie said.

“All because you were drunk and didn’t want to go.”

The court heard from Langbein’s lawyer, Mathew Adam, who said he had expressed remorse for his actions after watching the CCTV footage.

“He accepts his behaviour was inappropriate and that he has a history with alcohol,” Mr Adam said.

The court heard Langbein has been engaging with counselling for his alcohol and anger management, and has abstained from alcohol since the incident.

Magistrate Beattie acknowledged he was the sole-income earner for his family.

She also referred to his character references which described him as having strong ties with the community and a “generally happy-go-lucky individual.”

However she said this contradicted with his criminal history, which included assault occasioning bodily harm three years ago while drunk.

“For someone who lost control to such an extent, general deterrence is a significant factor,” Magistrate Beattie said.

Magistrate Beattie sentenced Langbein to nine months jail, with a four-month parole period, followed by an 18-month community corrections order, which he appealed straight away.

Langbein's lawyer Mathew Adam argued on Thursday that he is the sole-income earner for his family and had continued to engage in an alcohol and other drug rehabilitation program in Goulburn, psychologist appointments as well as Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

Crown prosecutor Nicole Johnson told the court of Langbein's criminal history, which included assault occasioning bodily harm three years ago while drunk, and asked the question "How can you (Langbein) ensure that you won't do it again?"

"Alcohol has ruined my life and I want to be a better person and I'm going to do everything possible to stay away from it," Langbein said.

The court also heard Langbein has abstained from alcohol for three months.

Judge Mark Williams sentenced him to an intensive corrections order of nine months beginning Thursday, warning Langbein if he fails to comply, he will "go to jail and lose (his) family)."

He is to continue engaging with WHOS treatment centre in Goulburn, attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and abstain from alcohol.