Matthew Johnson: Crown Casino smoker’s scuffle lands Fitzroy North plasterer in court

A booze-fuelled blue that broke out in front of horrified Crown Casino patrons has landed a plasterer in hospital and court.

A man has landed in court over a heated incident at Crown Casino. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

A “much admired” Fitzroy North plasterer landed in hospital after taking on a stranger in a booze-fuelled blow up at Crown Casino, a court has heard.

Matthew Johnson pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday over the shocking incident which unfolded at the casino’s outdoor smoking area on February 22, 2020.

The court heard a man, not known to Johnson, tried to reach for the plasterer’s wallet as he believed Johnson’s friend owed him money.

An argument broke out between the drunken pair before they began to kick and wrestle in front of up to 30 horrified patrons, the prosecution said.

Security guards quickly pulled the duo apart before Johnson was taken to hospital by ambulance with a large wound to his head.

Johnson’s lawyer Georgia Kaye-Helmot said her client had “changed his life” and had not offended for five years but intoxication had led to a “heated scuffle”.

“He ditched his mates that he had been involved with in previous offending, stopped taking drugs … he’s now in an apprenticeship doing plastering and rendering,” she said.

“This is a really unfortunate event that’s taken place on a night out.”

Magistrate Carolyn Burnside said Johnson’s references described him as “much needed and much admired” by his boss and colleagues.

“What you did was ill conceived and people in the city don’t need to have those scenes because it turns people off socialising,” she told Johnson.

“You ended up in hospital and you could have been struck so badly that you wouldn’t be working.

“You’re doing really well now … but you need to think about controlling your emotions and managing things differently.”

Johnson pleaded guilty to affray and sentenced to a 12 month good behaviour bond.

He was also ordered to donate $400 to Animals Australia.