Grand Theft Auto night of violence for Gold Coast hotel boss

Two men have inflicted a “night of terror” and “senseless violence” – seen in movies or video games like Grand Theft Auto – upon a hotel manager with no real motive, a court has heard.

TWO men inflicted a “night of terror” and “senseless violence” usually seen in movies or video games like Grand Theft Auto upon a hotel manager with no real motive, a court has heard.

Steven Trevor Daley, James Piripono Hurinui and two others stormed the Miami Shore Hotel at 9.30pm on November 28, 2020.

Daley, 31, and Hurinui, 47, pleaded guilty it the Southport District Court on Thursday to kidnapping, robbery and assault occasioning bodily harm.

Crown prosecutor Christopher Cook said the pair and two others went looking for a man named David but instead found the hotel manager.

“What started as ill-founded retribution started a night of terror for (the hotel manager),” he said.

While at the hotel, Daley beat the manager in the head before bundling him into a unit.

Daley punched the manager twice “splattering blood on the bath room wall” before the group ransacked the room and took his wallet.

Daley threatened the manager with a hammer before they forced him into a car.

The group made the manager hand over his ATM card which they used to transfer money. They also made him use his phone to transfer money into their bank accounts.

The entire ordeal lasted for about three hours and the hotel manager was released in Auchenflower in Brisbane - about 93km away.

“There is no really sane motive the Crown can point to - it was just senseless violence,” Mr Cook said.

“It’s the type of senseless violence one would hope is only from movies or video games like Grand Theft Auto but this was real life for Mr Budd.”

The victim was left with a fractured jaw and other cuts and bruises.

Hurinui and Daley both went on the run. Hurinui was caught two months later and Daley three months later.

Judge Geraldine Dann sentenced Daley to four years prison with parole eligibility on February 2, 2023.

She sentenced Hurinui to three years nine months prison to be suspended after he has served 12 months.

Judge Dann said the ordeal would have been “terrifying and frightening” for he complainant who still suffers from the incident.

She said the victim impact statement showed he was still in pain, has nightmares, constant anxiety and difficulties doing ordinary acts such as going to a shopping centre or being around people.

Hurinui has spent 215 days in prison and is expected to be released in June.

The court was told Daley had a long-standing drug addiction.

Hurinui is not an Australian citizen and is expected to be deported when released from prison.

The pair appeared in court via video link.