SoundCloud rapper Riley Poulson a.k.a. Ribby247 pleads guilty to bashing nemesis
A Gold Coast musician with aspirations to take his beats global has admitted to a vigilante bashing at Burleigh Heads of a man he incorrectly held responsible for the death of a close friend.
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A Gold Coast rapper with aspirations to take his beats global has admitted to bashing a man he incorrectly blamed for the death of a friend in a “vigilante” type attack.
Southport man Riley Jarvis Poulson, 26, who releases music under the name Ribby247, appeared in Southport Magistrates Court on Friday, June 27.
He pleaded guilty to three charges: assault occasioning bodily harm, possessing a category R weapon, capsicum spray, and possessing a restricted item, an extendible baton.
The most serious offence, the assault, occurred on July 31 last year at Burleigh Heads.
The court was not told the exact nature of the assault, only that it occurred on a public street while Poulson was under the influence of alcohol, and that his victim’s injuries were at the “lower end of the scale,” in the words of his defence lawyer Demi Quadrio.
According to police prosecutor Sergeant Blair Casey, the assault was aggravated by Poulson and his victim having a history between them.
“He seeks the victim out on this occasion, and says words to the effect of, ‘You killed my mate’ [immediately prior to the assault],” Sergeant Casey said.
He added that there was nothing in the police database regarding the victim having killed anyone.
It was not the first time Poulson had been violent with the man, the court heard.
He pleaded guilty in 2023 to a charge of public nuisance, which, according to Sergeant Casey, actually involved Poulson using violence against the same victim, but who declined to make a complaint “for fears of reprisal,” hence why police were only able to pin the nuisance charge on Poulson.
Ms Quadrio told the court her client, a father-of-two who was born in Sydney, believed the complainant to have been involved in the death of his “best friend” in New South Wales, but that the complainant was “ultimately never convicted”.
She said her client’s “biggest passion and focus” is music and holds high hopes that he can make it big in countries including the USA, UK, and Canada.
As such, she urged the court not to record convictions against her client, so as not to restrict his ability to travel to those countries to perform.
Ms Quadrio added that her client was taking steps to address his anger management issues, having undertaken nine counselling sessions since March.
Magistrate Dominic Brunello told Poulson the courts look dimly upon revenge attacks.
“Whatever happened to your friend interstate, it was not unlawful,” he said.
“And the person who you are exacting retribution on is not deserving of your continued harassment and unlawful behaviour towards him.
“Courts are very concerned to send a message to people who are thinking of engaging in their own vigilante payback.
“If they do that, they will be dealt with severely.
“You’ve had a crack at this guy before, now you’ve done it again.”
He ordered Poulson to perform 150 hours of community service for the assault, and fined him $1000 for the weapons charges.
No convictions were recorded.
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Originally published as SoundCloud rapper Riley Poulson a.k.a. Ribby247 pleads guilty to bashing nemesis
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