Henchman Miami found guilty of ‘fairly immature and self-centred’ Covid lockdown breach

A controversial bar’s blatant act has been slammed as “immature and self-centred” by a judge in court. Find out more.

The controversial Henchman bar in Miami has been found guilty of breaching coronavirus lockdown laws, an act described by the judge as “immature and self-centred”.

But owner Jared Fairall has indicated he is going to be appealing the decision.

The Miami bar had pleaded not guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court to disobeying the public health directives on July 31, 2021.

A lockdown had been called that morning to start at 4pm.

Henchman was found to be open at 8.44pm that night and had generated 51 invoices for drinks between 4pm and 8.30pm.

Henchman owner Jared Fairall outside court.

Throughout the two-day hearing, the Henchman had argued the search of the area and questioning of the owner had not been done in a lawful manner.

Magistrate Michelle Dooley ruled it had been.

She said in sentencing about the decision to open: “I’ve described that decision (to open) a fairly immature and self-centred decision to continue trading.

“I say immature because clearly to prior infringement notices had been issued to the company and the company was well aware that they are very likely to be the subject of future prosecutions.”

The court was told the Henchman was fined more than $6000 on June 13, 2020 and October 2, 2020 for failing to comply with Covid restrictions.

Magistrate Dooley said the coronavirus lockdown periods were “unprecedented times” and businesses were required to act swiftly.

Henchman owner Jared Fairall (left) outside court with his lawyer Farshad Sarabi, of Hannay Lawyers.

She said she took into account that by July 2021 the community was becoming fatigued by ongoing and changing restrictions.

Magistrate Dooley said deterrence was no longer a factor in the penalty as all Covid restrictions had been removed.

“Hopefully we will not move through any similar future public health emergencies,” she said.

Magistrate Dooley fined the Henchman $3336.25 and ordered they pay the Gold Coast Public Health $2601.10 for court costs. No conviction was recorded.

“I am hopeful that the defendant company will make more considered community based decisions in the future,” she said.

Henchman owner Jared Fairall (black shirt) outside court with is lawyer Farshad Sarabi, of Hannay Lawyers.

“I am very hopeful of that. I am hopeful that these matters will now be brought to an end allowing the defendant company to move on and focus on business undertakings.”

Outside of court Henchman’s lawyer Farshad Sarabi, of Hannay Lawyers, said the bar’s ownership would be appealing.

“Whilst today wasn’t the result we wanted, we will keep pursing this matter in the interest of justice,” he said.

Asked about the health department’s right to enter the premises, Mr Sarabi replied: “I think the health department had a bunch of laws thrown on them very late in the piece and of course the consequences of that is incorrect decisions have been made, training wasn’t up to scratch and of course companies such as my client’s really suffer as a result of that.

The Henchman, Miami owner Jared 'Batman' Fairall.

“I think Covid really did damage a lot of businesses but at the end of the day that’s all now passed.”

It is not the first time Henchman and Mr Fairall have made headlines.

In December 2021, Mr Fairall was accused of making abusive comments online allegedly calling a woman “the worst type of human in the world” and a Facebook group she participates in an “anti-male, d**k-hating, ugly side of feminism slag whores group”.

Photos of Mr Fairall holding what appears to be a gun and wearing a pink Flamingo dressing gown have also previously been posted on social media.

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