James Flindt, Phillip Gilfillian: Shoalhaven men charged after wild Macca’s brawl
Chaotic scenes took over a McDonald’s restaurant during a wild drunken brawl - sparked by crude slurs - which saw a man knock himself out when attempting to tackle an attacker.
The South Coast News
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What was supposed to be a quick stop at Macca’s for an early morning bite to eat has ended in wild violence, after a series of slurs led to an all out brawl.
The incident saw Bomaderry man James Flindt, 24, wind up in Nowra Local Court on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to affray.
Callala Beach man Phillip Gilfillian, 32 has previously appeared before the same court where he pleaded guilty to affray in relation to the same incident.
The court heard how the “all out melee” started when Gilfillian and another man made inappropriate slurs about Flindt’s 16-year-old sister in the early hours of July 30 at the Kinghorne St McDonalds in Nowra.
Flindt’s sister – who was visibly upset after the objectifying comments were made – informed her brother, who, along with his friend, walked over to the commenters before confronting them.
It didn’t take long before the confrontation turned violent, with an intoxicated Gilfillian pushing Flindt’s friend in his chest before punching him in the head.
Police documents tendered to the court reveal this was when the brawl kicked off, with both Gilfillian and another man attacking Flindt’s friend with punches and throwing him to the ground.
At this point, Flindt – who was also intoxicated – ran over to Gilfillian, grabbed him and spear tackled him to the ground.
However, despite his best efforts to save his friend, the tacking manoeuvre saw him hit his head on the ground, knocking himself out. The brawl lasted a few minutes before Gilfillian fled the scene.
Police officers arrived shortly after and when unable to gather what happened due to everyone at the site of the brawl being intoxicated, viewed the fast food joint’s CCTV footage which highlighted how things happened.
The next day, both Flindt and Gilfillian – who didn’t know each other – were arrested and charged with affray.
In court on Tuesday, Flint’s lawyer Brett Ford said his client was apologetic for the tackling manoeuvre.
“He knew he should have stayed out of it, but he wanted to help his friend,” he said.
Magistrate Lisa Viney said there was never an excuse for violence, no matter the situation.
“There would have been public at the McDonald’s and staff who would not have wanted to witness this brawl,” she said. “You willingly participated when you tackled someone too.”
Flindt was convicted and sentenced to a 12 month community correction order, with conditions he participate in anger management therapy.
Meanwhile, Gilfillian remains before the courts on bail, having previously entered a plea of guilty.
He is expected to be sentenced for his part in the brawl on October 11 at Nowra Local Court.