Howard Wright: Police close investigation into threats against Gold Coast hospo boss

Queensland Police say they have spoken to those who allegedly left threatening messages to a Gold Coast hospitality boss after he was fined for hitting an adolescent on an e-bike with his vehicle.

Queensland Police say they have spoken to those who allegedly left threatening messages to a Gold Coast hospitality boss after he was fined for hitting an adolescent on an e-bike with his vehicle, and no further action would be taken.

Howard Wright, who formerly owned Paradise Point venues The Lounge and Bridges Pizza Tapas Bar – they have since been sold – was the subject of public opprobrium after being captured on video striking the 12-year-old rider on January 6.

Mr Wright was subsequently fined $645 and incurred three demerit points, with police saying he had driven in a dangerous manner, although there was no suggestion he deliberately drove into the adolescent, who he claimed had been harassing him.

Police say 58-year-old hospitality boss Howard Wright drove dangerously directly towards the 12-year-old victim before crashing into him.

A fortnight after the incident, police revealed they were investigating “threatening voicemail messages” left on Mr Wright’s phone (his neighbour described them as “death threats”) and confirmed that he had in fact been subject to harassment and racial vilification.

Mr Wright received the threatening voicemails – at least three of them – after the 12-year-old adolescent who was hit by Mr Wright’s Audi A5 published personal details, including the hospitality identity’s address, online, a practice known as ‘doxxing’, police previously said.

The boy was given an official warning for the doxxing and harassment of Mr Wright, while a formal complaint was made in relation to the threats.

In response to questions, police confirmed the investigation was now closed.

“All parties have been spoken to and this matter has been finalised,” a police spokeswoman said in a brief statement.

Originally published as Howard Wright: Police close investigation into threats against Gold Coast hospo boss