Simione Latu found guilty of bashing a man outside a Queanbeyan pub

A Queanbeyan man has been found guilty of bashing a man waiting for an Uber outside a Queanbeyan pub, after a clash with ‘Roos’ and ‘Blues’ rugby league club supporters inside. Find out what happened.

A man has been found guilty of bashing a man waiting for an Uber outside of a Queanbeyan pub.

Queanbeyan man Simione Latu, 26, was found guilty of common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm following a one-day hearing at Queanbeyan Local Court on Wednesday.

The hearing heard from numerous prosecution witnesses, including the victim, female members of the Queanbeyan Blues football team, and a man who had watched Latu grow up who attempted to pull him away from the complainant during the attack outside of the pub.

The victim told the court he and his brother, and his brother’s partner, went out drinking on the night of May 8 2021, and attended the Campbell and George pub.

Simione Latu was found guilty of common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm over a brawl outside a Queanbeyan pub. Picture: Facebook

He said a scuffle broke out between his brother and a separate man after the man called his brother a “short, bald, c**t”.

The court was shown CCTV footage from the Campbell and George where Latu is seen walking towards the scuffle, and is seen to manhandle the victim and throw him across the bar table.

The victim told the court he had forgotten about being thrown, and quietly remarked that he had likely forgotten about it due to a concussion.

The victim said following the scuffle, he decided to call an Uber to go home.

While waiting on the street outside, he said Latu charged at him, pushed him to the ground, and punched and kicked him while on the ground.

Photos tendered to the court depict the victim, only hours after the assault, with a swelling around the left eye.

Other prosecution witnesses corroborated the victim’s testimony, with multiple witnesses saying a woman from the Queanbeyan Blues team went on top of the victim to shield him from Latu’s blows.

Latu’s Lawyer Andrew Byrne argued that his client was acting in defence of another person during the first assault and in self defence during the second assault.

A defence witness, who like Latu is a member of the Queanbeyan Kangaroos rugby league club, told the court he saw the victim punch Latu outside the pub.

However Magistrate Rodger Clisdell said Latu’s actions went beyond self defence and defence of another person.

In regards to the assault in the club, Mr Clisdell said security staff were seen on CCTV already on their way to break of the scuffle.

Additionally he said if Latu had charged at the victim outside, he would have been acting in self defence if he punched Latu.

Simione Latu was found guilty of throwing a man across a bar table, then bashing him outside of a pub. Picture: Facebook

The magistrate also noted the rivalry between the two league clubs, with Latu being involved in the Queanbeyan Kangaroos, and others being involved with the Queanbeyan Blues.

“The roos and the blues are like the Hatfields and McCoys (rarely) sharing pleasantries,” Mr Clisdell said.

Mr Clisdell ultimately found Latu guilty of both charges.

Prosecutors applied for a detention order which would require Latu to be remanded in custody until he is sentenced.

The order requires people who have been convicted of a crime and who are definitely facing a period of full time imprisonment in the NSW system to prove there are special and exceptional circumstances requiring them to be on bail between hearing dates and sentencing dates.

The prosecutor told the court Latu had previously been convicted of similar violent crimes in both NSW and the ACT. She said Latu would likely face a term of imprisonment.

Mr Byrnes told the court his client was the sole provider for his partner and his two stepchildren.

He told the court Latu had suffered family violence during his childhood and said he was struggling with his mental health including PTSD symptoms and suicidal ideation.

Simione Latu will face court again for sentencing in September. Picture: Facebook

On the matter of bail Clisdell began by stating he had not formally convicted Latu, rather he had only said the two offences had been proven and had adjourned the matter for sentencing.

Mr Clisdell described the recent amendment to the NSW Bail act, passed earlier this year, as being “rushed” through the parliament without consultation with the NSW Bar or the judiciary.

The magistrate said it was likely Latu would face full time imprisonment but said he’d need a “crystal ball” to know for sure.

“(Jail time) is not inevitable,” he said.

While acknowledging Latu’s concerning criminal record, Mr Clisdell stated Latu had never missed a court appearance, and said he was only ever summoned to court with future court attendance notices, therefore he had never required bail previously.

Mr Clisdell ultimately declined the detention application.

Latu will face Queanbeyan Local Court for sentencing on September 19.