Currumbin Eagles rugby league player Lachlan Kenneth Smith guilty of assault

A first-grade rugby league player who coward-hit a teenager while his back was turned after an argument in Surfers Paradise has narrowly missed time in prison.

A first-grade rugby league player who coward-hit a teenager while his back was turned after an argument in Surfers Paradise has narrowly missed spending time in prison.

Lachlan Kenneth Smith swung his arm and hit the man in the head while outside Cocktails Nightclub about 3am on December 5 last year.

Lachlan Smith scoring a try during a match in May, 2021. Picture: Richard Gosling

The man, 19, was knocked unconscious and fell to the ground. He was left with a fractured jaw and small brain bleed.

Smith, 23, pleaded guilty in the Southport District Court on Tuesday to assault occasioning bodily harm.

Judge Deborah Holliday sentenced him to two years’ prison with immediate release on parole.

“I have viewed CCTV footage … it is an understatement to say it is disturbing to watch a person be assaulted in that manner and fall to the ground unable to do anything,” she said.

Of the injuries, Judge Holliday said “they could have resulted in long-term injury or death” if left untreated.

“It could have been much worse,” she said.

Lachlan Smith. Picture: Jerad Williams

Smith leaves Southport Court.

“Acts of violence by young men committed in public against members of the community must be deterred.”

Judge Holliday noted it was the third offence Smith had committed “fuelled by alcohol”.

The court was told there had been a small altercation between Smith’s group and the victim’s group earlier in the night.

Smith and the victim began to verbally argue.

When the victim turned and started to move away, Smith brought up his arm and swung it, hitting the victim in the head and knocked him unconscious.

Crown prosecutor Jessica Guy said the victim did not have any memory of the incident.

Smith fled after the strike and was caught by police on a bridge not too far away, she said.

Defence barrister Nick McGhee said Smith had earlier separated from his partner and was suffering financial difficulties.

Smith narrowly avoided prison.

He said due to the pandemic Smith had been unable to train for football which was his “usual outlet”.

Mr McGhee said Smith was a semi-professional fullback.

He played first grade for the Currumbin Eagles last season and is on a trial with the Tweed Heads Seagulls.

Mr McGhee said since the incident Smith had taken part in a four-hour anger management course.

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