Ryan Townsley: Man bashed and choked for littering at Bondi Beach
A drunken Queenslander who kicked a man in the head and choked him for littering at Bondi Beach has been convicted and fined for his “unbelievable” behaviour.
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A drunken Queenslander who kicked a man in the head and choked him for littering at Bondi Beach has been convicted and fined for his “unbelievable” behaviour.
Ryan Ford Townsley, 37, who resides in Brisbane, was drinking for about 14 hours straight before the assault which unfolded during the early hours of Saturday, June 13, a court has heard.
The traffic management professional beamed into Waverley Local Court via audio visual link last Tuesday to be sentenced for one count of common assault, having pleaded guilty to the charge.
The agreed facts stated he was drinking at Hotel Bondi near Bondi Beach and became involved in an argument with another man over cigarettes.
The court heard about 4.10am, after he left the hotel heavily intoxicated, Townsley saw the same man allegedly break a bottle near the beach.
The agreed facts stated he confronted him and said “don’t litter on the beach” to which the victim replied “f*** you”.
Townsley kicked the victim in the head before grabbing him around the neck.
“The accused extended both his arms and choked the victim around his neck,” the agreed facts stated.
Townsley then pushed the victim to the ground and punched him multiple times to the body.
The agreed facts stated police arrived and handcuffed Townsley.
Remarkably, the victim only suffered some cuts to his hand and a sore head.
Townsley’s defence lawyer explained her client had lost his job because of COVID two days prior to the assault which he had moved to Sydney for. She said he had also recently gone through a break-up.
“It has been a hard year for everyone but it has been a particularly hard year for people who have been out of work,” she said.
Magistrate Ross Hudson labelled his actions “unbelievable” and said just because he was intoxicated did not excuse his behaviour.
“(The victim) is someone who from your perspective litters, that is all he does. He is kicked, choked and punched.
“How could that be any proportionality to littering? It is unbelievable.”
Magistrate Hudson convicted him and sentenced him to a community correction order with supervision for 18 months and fined him $750.
Townsley has no other offences on his record since 2005.