Concreter Jay Lea McFadden walks free after wild brawl in Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise

The 23-year-old gave a bizarre reason for his ‘combative’ behaviour towards police who arrested him on the night of the incident. WATCH THE VIDEO

A concreter involved in a wild brawl that spilled onto a busy Surfers Paradise street has walked free from court.

Arundel man Jay Lea McFadden, 23, pleaded guilty to one charge each of public nuisance, fail to appear and obstruct police in the Southport Magistrates Court on Friday.

But the 23-year-old gave a bizarre reason for his “combative” behaviour towards police.

McFadden had been drinking with an associate at White Rhino Bar about 12.20am on December 13, 2021, when there was a disturbance outside on the footpath.

The 23-year-old became involved and it escalated into a large brawl that spilled onto Cavill Ave, the court was told.

McFadden took off his shirt, threw punches and shaped up to security guards who were trying to break it up.

The Arundel man then left the scene with his associate, but was tracked down on Gold Coast City Council CCTV.

When police caught up with the men and tried to search McFadden, he became “hostile” and shaped up to police before trying to avoid arrest.

He was eventually handcuffed and taken to the watchhouse.

Defence solicitor Farshad Sarabi, of Hannay Lawyers, said his client got involved because he saw a man assaulting a woman.

Addressing McFadden’s behaviour towards police, Mr Sarabi said: “He didn’t like being searched at the time and that’s when the thrashing happened and the obstruct occurred.”

He said McFadden was “extremely remorseful”.

Magistrate Mark Howden noted he was on probation at the time of the offence.

McFadden was convicted and fined $1200.

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Originally published as Concreter Jay Lea McFadden walks free after wild brawl in Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise