Craft House director Wayne Hagan assaults government inspectors at own venue

The director of popular Gold Coast bars was in the middle of his own crowded venue when an altercation broke out with liquor inspectors. Read why he says it unfolded.

A director of popular Gold Coast pubs has admitted assaulting two government inspectors in his crowded venue, with court hearing he felt targeted and they wouldn’t identify themselves.

Craft House director Wayne Sean Hagan intercepted the two men from the Office of Liquor and Gaming at his Mermaid Beach bar on August 14, 2021, where they were completing noise and Covid compliance checks.

Southport Magistrates Court was told Hagan yelled at the pair and asked them to leave.

Police prosecutor Gavin Reece said the 43-year-old grabbed the first victim’s right hand as he was trying to produce his identification, causing pain.

Wayne Sean Hagan leaving the Southport courthouse after pleading guilty to two counts of common assault. Picture: Jessica Paul

He said the second inspector started filming the altercation on his mobile phone, with Hagan becoming increasingly aggressive.

The court was told the inspector put his phone behind his back as Hagan moved towards him.

Hagan pushed the man and grabbed his arm, snatching the phone away. He refused to return it until both inspectors had moved outside the venue.

Mr Reece said Hagan later claimed in his police interview that he was concerned about the two unknown men taking photos inside the at-capacity bar.

“He stated he felt as though the Office of Liquor and Gaming had been targeting his premises and harassing him every weekend since November, 2020, which frustrated him,” Mr Reece said.

“(He said) when he was seated at the end of the bar, he saw two older gentlemen enter the premises wearing black caps and wearing masks filming females at the premises.

“His first reaction was to grab the phone.”

Hagan also claimed the brief scuffle broke out after the inspectors said they did not need to identify themselves, the court was told.

Defence lawyer Philip Whitehead said his client was a successful businessman who was also director of Craft House at Tugun and a subcontractor labour hire company.

He told the court Hagan was a father of two and extensively supported his community, including donations to recreational sports clubs.

“On my client’s instructions, (the inspectors) did not allude to who they were at the time,” Mr Whitehead said.

“His attitude at the time was to co-operate, but he felt he wasn’t receiving the same co-operation.

“He was trying to protect what he thought were his company’s interests that night, (and) regrets the incident.”

Hagan pleaded guilty to two counts of common assault.

He was fined $1800 and no conviction was recorded.