Andrea Henare Kiri Qelo jumped into brawl with five other mates, walks from court with a fine

A carpet layer who jumped into a brawl with five other mates kicking and punching the victim has walked from court with a fine. DETAILS >>>`

A CARPET layer who jumped into a brawl with five other mates kicking and punching the victim has walked from court with a fine.

Andrea Henare Kiri Qelo punched the victim after he saw him in a fight with his mates in Surfers Paradise about 5.40pm on November 14 last year.

The group were on a pub crawl celebrating a 21st birthday.

Qelo and his mates kept attacking – despite a witness throwing a chair at them to get them to stop.

MORE CRIME NEWS

Beau Andrew John Smith committed to stand trial over shooting of teenager Hayden Miller at Tiki Hotel in Surfers Paradise

Brayden Luke Thomas given probation for cocaine, marijuana and weapon stash

Graham Belcher jailed for killing Scott Rose in horror hit and run

The 22-year-old pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday to assault occasioning bodily harm.

The victim was left with bruises and soft tissue injuries after the attack.

Prosecutor Donn Reid said Qelo saw the fight as he walked out of the pub and punched the victim.

He then was pulled back while his co-accused kicked and punched the man, following him down the street.

Mr Reid said Qelo kicked the man in the chest while he was on the ground before a friend of Qelo pulled him away.

Qelo then returned to the fight, again kicking the man.

Magistrate Grace Kahlert fined Qelo $800 and ordered he pay the victim $500. No conviction was recorded.

“It’s a serious charge, a group of young men brawling in Surfers Paradise,” she said.

“It’s very concerning behaviour.”

Magistrate Kahlert said Qelo’s letter of apology showed he had some insight into his offending.

Qelo’s lawyer Blake Fraser, of Fraser Lawyers, said his client made a “foolish” decision to join the brawl.

Mr Fraser said Qelo and his father had a large argument prior to the incident which left Qelo upset.

He has since reconciled with his father and was focusing on the gym and getting healthy.