Kevin James John: Darwin man jailed for Casuarina Shopping Centre attack

A man who punched a security guard at a busy shopping centre after he was confronted for “annoying” other shoppers has been put behind bars.

Darwin man Kevin Johns has been sent to prison after punching a security at Casuarina Shopping Centre. Source: Facebook.

A man who punched a security guard at a busy shopping centre after he was confronted for “annoying” other shoppers has been put behind bars.

Kevin James Johns, 38, appeared in Darwin Local Court on Thursday morning via video link to be sentenced after he struck a security guard in the face at Casuarina Shopping Centre.

At about 11am on August 28, 2024, Johns was “annoying people” and “loitering around” at the busy shopping centre.

Johns’ behaviour drew the attention of security, with one guard confronting Johns and directing him to leave.

In front of shoppers, Johns took off his thongs before punching the guard in the face – breaking the man’s glasses.

Johns then fled to the nearby underground car park, with two security guards in pursuit.

Johns was “annoying” and “loitering around” at Casuarina Shopping Centre before he punched a security guard in the face. Picture: Facebook.

In a bid to escape, Johns threw a glass bottle at one of the security guards, injuring his arm.

Johns was arrested by police on September 10, and subsequently plead guilty to assaulting a worker who suffered harm, damaging property, being armed with an offensive weapon and trespassing after being told to leave.

Self-representing in court, Johns maintained he just “wanted a cup of coffee” on the day of offending.

The court heard Johns had a “number of assaults” dating back to 2012 and 2019, including an attack on a police officer.

Judge Julie Franz noted Johns had “some minor” dishonesty offences”, bail breaches and a suspended sentence breach.

Johns was handed four months imprisonment, backdated to September 10, 2024.