Coomera Cutters junior rugby league coach James Tukiwaho bashes ‘defenceless’ man

A Gold Coast junior rugby league coach has faced court after what was described as an ‘attack on a defenceless person’. Watch the CCTV of the shock bashing.

A Gold Coast junior rugby league coach has walked free from court after pleading guilty to punching a “defenceless” man several times to the head outside a hotel.

Pimpama’s James Tukiwaho, 32, faced the Southport Magistrates Court on Monday on one charge of assault occasioning bodily harm after he attacked a man outside the Sandstone Point Hotel on January 13 last year.

CCTV played to the court showed the father of two walking outside the hotel near Bribie Island, towards the car park when he stopped and turned to speak to the victim, who was sitting down.

James Tukiwaho, 32, outside the Southport Courthouse. Picture: Melanie Whiting

Tukiwaho then rained several blows to the victim’s head, causing him to fall backwards, the court was told.

The victim suffered a black eye and scratches.

Police prosecutor Gavin Reece described it as an “attack on a defenceless person”.

“In my respectful submission, this is what would be classified as gratuitous violence,” Mr Reece said.

CCTV of the assault on January 13 last year.

The court was told Tukiwaho faced the Southport District Court in 2015 over a serious assault.

He coward punched a Coomera Cutters player and teammate so hard the victim’s jaw was almost left hanging off.

For that offence, Tukiwaho was sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment but released on parole immediately, due to his rehabilitation, family support and steady employment.

The 32-year-old’s solicitor, Melissa Somerville, told the court last year’s assault happened after an earlier incident inside the Sandstone Point Hotel.

The assault happened outside the Sandstone Point Hotel.

“He was out with some friends at the time and inside the venue there was an altercation that occurred when his friend’s partner was touched up,” Ms Somerville said.

“This is an explanation as to why it occurred, however, there is no excuse for his actions.”

She said Tukiwaho worked as a trade assistant building boats and volunteered as a junior coach for the Coomera Cutters Junior Rugby League Club.

The secretary of the Coomera Cutters junior club provided a character reference to the court on behalf of the under-9s coach.

Ms Somerville tendered the club secretary character reference to the court along with one from Tukiwaho’s employer.

Ms Somerville said her client was “very remorseful” for his actions and had kept out of trouble since the 2015 assault.

Magistrate Michelle Dooley sentenced Tukiwaho to nine months’ imprisonment with immediate release on parole.

A conviction was recorded.