Picton Local Court: Nathan Gibson sentenced for chipping woman’s tooth with vodka cruiser

After one too many wines at a paint and sip studio in southwest Sydney, a young man has been sentenced for drunken-fueled violence at a Maccas which left a bystander with a chipped tooth.

After one too many wines at a paint and sip studio in southwest Sydney, a young man has been sentenced for drunken-fueled violence at a Maccas which left a bystander with a chipped tooth from a Vodka Cruiser bottle.

Nathan Gibson, 26, appeared at Picton Local Court on Thursday, having previously pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm and affray.

Documents provided to the court state that on Friday night, July 11, 2020, the landscaper walked into a Camden Maccas with some workmates after attending a paint and sip studio, followed by several bars.

While eating his meal in the outdoor area of the fast food joint, documents state he became abusive towards a group of people sitting nearby, calling the women “sluts” and “whores”.

Nathan Gibson, 26, appeared at Picton Local Court for his sentence. Picture: Adelaide Lang

According to the facts, things escalated when Gibson threw a paper bag at one of the men in the group, who confronted him for his behaviour, at which point Gibson took his jacket off and assumed a fight stance.

Documents state one of the women from the group then attacked him, trying to use a 375ml Vodka Cruiser bottle to hit him with.

Gibson grabbed the glass bottle off her and forcefully threw it at one of the men in the group, however facts state the glass hit a woman’s face instead, who was sitting directly behind him at a different table.

As a result, the victim’s tooth broke in half, which was captured on her phone and CCTV, and provided to the police.

Not noticing this, Gibson began to throw punches at the man, but realised he was outnumbered and too drunk, and was held back by his workmates, documents state.

The victim attended Narellan Police Station that day and Gibson was taken into custody almost two weeks later, where he confessed to not remembering what happened during the incident and appeared remorseful and embarrassed when the CCTV footage was played.

He also offered to pay for the victim’s medical bill.

On Tuesday, his lawyer, Cheryl Williams, said he was being “an idiot” in the first place, but pointed out that he was also assaulted, and had drinks and food thrown at him.

Documents involved a submission by his mother, which said that Gibson’s head injury from the fight led him to be transferred from Camden Hospital to the Campbelltown emergency department.

“I thought I was going to lose him,” his mother said.

Magistrate Mark Douglass acknowledged the fault in both parties involved, also questioning why they too weren’t before the court, but said Gibson was the one who instigated it.

“You being obnoxious is not an excuse for people to do that to you, but if you were obnoxious it wouldn't have happened,” Magistrate Douglass said.

“This is a young offender that has committed a serious crime, causing significant injury to a bystander’s face.

“Anyone who uses a glass as a weapon needs to be deterred.”

Several written submissions provided to the court expressed Gibson’s remorse, with his mother stating “the night in mention has not only changed (her) son’s life but (theirs) as his family.”

Gibson himself said in a written submission:

“Words cannot begin to explain how sorry I am for the trauma I have inflicted upon you (the victim) mentally and the damage my actions have caused you physically.

“I have not had a single drop of alcohol since the matter, nor have I visited any licensed venues to consume alcohol socially.

“I have been a hard working member of the Camden community since I was 16 and am ashamed of the harm I have caused and the fear I did incite within the community I call home.”

Magistrate Douglass acknowledged this and in a rare case, sentenced him to a 16-month community corrections order with supervision.

“I can't remember the last time I've not sentenced someone to jail due to glassing, you should thank your lawyers,” Magistrate Douglass said.

He is also to pay $495 for the woman’s dental surgery and participate in a mental health assessment.