Jarod Armstrong: Southport security guard admits bashing stranger at Fortitude Valley

An off-duty Gold Coast security guard followed a motorist into a car park at Fortitude Valley and bashed him in response to the motorist allegedly nudging him while turning across the path, a court has heard.

Southport man Jarod Eric James Armstrong, 22. Picture: Alex Treacy

An off-duty Gold Coast security guard followed a motorist into a car park at Fortitude Valley and bashed him in response to the motorist allegedly nudging him while turning across the path, a court has heard.

Southport man Jarod Eric James Armstrong, 22, appeared in Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday, July 15, where he pleaded guilty to a charge of assault occasioning bodily harm.

The offence was committed at Fortitude Valley at about 3.30am on May 4 this year.

Police prosecutor Casey Beck told the court Armstrong and another man were walking when they followed a Mercedes into an underground carpark.

Armstrong began yelling at the driver, who exited his vehicle before becoming involved in a heated exchange with the defendant.

Armstrong then punched the Mercedes driver in the head and dragged him to the ground, before the pair were separated by the man who was with Armstrong.

Armstrong punched the driver a second time in the head and pushed him into the vehicle.

The pair were then separated again by the third man.

The Mercedes driver sustained injuries including a split lip, an abrasion to his left leg, and bruising to the back of his head and legs.

Defence lawyer Joanna McNae told the court her client flew off the handle because he had been allegedly nudged by the Mercedes when the vehicle turned across his path.

She said the assault was an “act of anger” rather than a random beating.

Ms McNae said her client’s security officer licence had been suspended as a result of the offending, and would likely be cancelled.

She said he had obtained new work as a bartender in Brisbane, which would mean Armstrong’s relocation to the state capital.

Ms McNae said her client, who has a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, had obtained a mental health care plan from his GP.

Armstrong was fined $1000 and ordered to pay his victim $1000 compensation. No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Jarod Armstrong: Southport security guard admits bashing stranger at Fortitude Valley