Antonio Gary Mirto pleads guilty to assaulting manager outside Asylum Nightclub in Surfers Paradise

A young Gold Coast man has been slammed for his “opportunistic” attack on a nightclub manager outside a Surfers Paradise hotspot. Find out what happened in court

Antonio Gary Mirto (left) leaving court. Picture: Jessica Paul

A Gold Coast man has been slapped with a hefty fine after kicking a nightclub manager in the head while he was lying defenceless on the ground.

Antonio Gary Mirto was waiting in line outside Surfers Paradise’s Asylum Nightclub at about 10.30pm on October 28 last year, when the manager and another patron he was escorting away from a nearby fight fell down.

Footage played in Southport Magistrates Court showed Mirto kick his victim once in the head.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Blair Casey described it as an “opportunistic” attack against a “hapless and vulnerable person”.

Antonio Gary Mirto (left) leaving court. Picture: Jessica Paul

Sgt Casey said the victim had to go home after suffering vomiting and dizziness, but did not have any ongoing injuries.

Mirto was found with a nicotine vape after his arrest, the court was told.

He appeared in court with a clean criminal history.

Defence barrister Jason Buckland said his client was intoxicated at the time and had since written a letter of apology to his victim.

Orchid Ave party strip, Surfers Paradise Picture by Richard Gosling

Mr Buckland said the 20-year-old left a mining job in Western Australia to return to the Gold Coast to help his younger brother and father after the latter was diagnosed with early-onset dementia.

“(The offending) is something he has not taken lightly and the gravity of the actions bear heavily upon him,” he said.

“It’s not a case that he’s simply paid no heed to the possible consequences had he landed a kick and more serious injury been occasioned or caused to the victim.”

Magistrate Veena Goverdhan warned Mirto he was “very lucky” to not be facing a more serious charge.

“You need to understand no one is stopping you from drinking, but obviously you need to drink to the point where you’re aware of what you’re doing,” Ms Goverdhan said.

Mirto pleaded guilty to one count each of common assault and possessing a S4 hazardous poison.

He was fined $2700, ordered to pay a further $1000 in compensation to his victim and must complete 50 hours’ community service. No conviction was recorded.