Kyle Anthony Baxter: Man loses job following public intoxication, weapons charges in Coomera

A Gold Coaster has moved back in with mum after losing his job in the wake of two criminal charges, handed down after cops found him drunk in Westfield.

Kyle Anthony Baxter, 22.

A Gold Coast youngster has maintained his clean criminal record despite being arrested while drunk in a shopping centre, then lying about why he was carrying an illegal weapon.

Kyle Anthony Baxter pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday to public intoxication and knife possession after being arrested on December 29.

Kyle Anthony Baxter, 22, leaving court with his partner.

The court heard Baxter was spotted by police around 4.30pm, holding an open bottle of alcohol while in Westfield Coomera.

“While conversing with police (Baxter) was observed to drink the bottle of liquor in front of (them)”, prosecutor Qin Li said.

“He continued to drink while conversing with police, even when police requested he stop.”

Police found Baxter to be “overly loud and slightly unsteady on his feet”, arresting him and taking him back to the police station.

A subsequent search found “an orange flick blade knife” in Baxter’s possession, but it was unclear why he had the weapon.

“The defendant explained that the knife was for work at first but then, in separate conversations, he stated that it was for protection,” the prosecution said.

Westfield shopping centre, Coomera.

Defence lawyer, Mollie Roper of Cooper Roper Legal, said Baxter had lost his job at Dreamworld after telling his boss about the charges.

“My client concedes that alcohol use has been problematic for him over the last six months,” Ms Roper said.

“He relies on alcohol as a self-medication for symptoms of depression.

“(Baxter) is booked in to see a psychologist, he’s also making inquiries in relation to an offender detox and, ultimately, rehabilitation.”

The court heard Baxter’s partner was present in the gallery, and he’s also supported by his mum who he’s moved back in with.

Ms Roper said her client spent eight hours in the Watchhouse after being arrested and suggested a good behaviour bond may be suitable.

Magistrate Kerry Magee warned Baxter of the dangers of weapon possession in public.

“It’s always dangerous to carry a knife because, if you get into an argument, things can go terribly wrong and there can be devastating consequences,” she said.

However, having lost his job and spending hours in custody, the magistrate determined Baxter had already been “punished sufficiently”.

“I’ve taken into account that there’s been significant consequences for you as a result of having been charged”, Magistrate Magee said.

Baxter received no further punishment for the offending, and no convictions were recorded.