Nick Kepu: F45 Browns Plains trainer guilty of DV assault
‘I’ll put you to sleep’: A former first-grade footy centre and amateur MMA fighter has been sentenced for a brutal assault.
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A Logan personal trainer at popular gym chain F45 Training livestreamed a shocking assault on his ex-wife and her new squeeze after he let himself into the former marital home and rained blows on the hapless man, breaking his nose.
Beenleigh man Tamafaiga Nick Kepu, 27, a former personal trainer at F45 Browns Plains, amateur MMA fighter and former first-grade centre for Sunnybank Dragons Rugby Union Football Club, pleaded guilty in Beenleigh District Court on Tuesday to six offences.
They included burglary with actual violence, assault occasioning bodily harm, common assault and three counts of wilful damage.
The court heard the violent assault occurred on October 13, 2019, about 7pm, when Kepu attended an Edens Landing townhouse belonging to his ex-wife, in which he lived until their separation a few weeks prior.
Kepu, a former student of Crestmead’s St Francis College, “looked over the fence” and witnessed his ex-wife dining with her new squeeze, sending him into a jealous rage, the court heard.
He then let himself into the townhouse and began punching the man to the face, knocking him to the ground, lacerating his mouth, fracturing his nose and causing swelling and bruising to his face.
The court heard Kepu said, “I knew something was up”, as he placed the man in a headlock and threatened to “put him to sleep” while dragging the man across the room.
When Kepu’s ex-wife said she was calling police, Kepu told her to “go on… I know I’m already going behind bars”, before pushing her and grabbing her by the throat.
The court heard at some point during the rampage, Kepu began livestreaming events via his phone, which Judge Craig Chowdhury described as “bizarre”.
In addition to assaulting both victims, Kepu punched nine holes in the wall, damaged a television, mobile phone, and the man’s car.
Defence counsel Rick Taylor told the court his client originally intended to “seek answers” from his ex-wife, but had a “brain fade” when he saw the other man with her.
He noted Kepu had no prior criminal history and had not offended since the assault.
The sentence was complicated by the fact Kepu’s ex-wife wished to discontinue the charges and claimed it was “her fault” Kepu snapped, as she had cheated on him.
Ultimately, Judge Chowdhury sentenced Kepu to two years’ jail but granted him immediate parole.
A smiling Kepu was photographed pumping his fist in victory to supporters as he exited the courthouse via the front steps.
* Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the club in question as South’s Sunnybank Rugby League Football Club, when in fact the court was told it was a “Sunnybank football club”, referring to the Dragons.
** F45 Training Browns Plains confirmed on Friday, January 15 Mr Kepu’s employment was terminated late last year when the gym became aware of the then-allegations. An earlier version of this story said he was still employed.
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Originally published as Nick Kepu: F45 Browns Plains trainer guilty of DV assault
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