Travis Allan Rickard jailed for horror, Airlie Beach kebab shop assault

A young man inflicted ‘catastrophic’ injuries on another after punching him near a nightclub precinct, causing the former rescue diver to spend a month in ICU and give up his job as a first responder.

Travis Allan Rickard

What started as an alcohol-fuelled confrontation at the front of a kebab shop has resulted in catastrophic consequences for all involved, with one man in jail and another enduring ‘lifelong’ injuries.

Travis Allan Rickard, who was 21 at the time, took off his shirt, wrapped it around his head to disguise himself before punching a young man in the head causing him to fall and strike the concrete, running away as the man lay unconscious – according to the prosecution.

Crown prosecutor Nicole Butler revealed the disturbing details that occurred in front of an Airlie Beach kebab shop on August 14, 2023 as Rickard sat in the dock in Townsville District Court on Tuesday supported by his family who were visibly upset for most of the sentence.

The victim, who was 23 at the time of the assault and a former rescue diver from America also sat in court and read aloud the horror consequences he endured since.

“I continue to suffer ongoing effects due to your violence – physical, emotional, psychological and financial and everything in between,” the man said.

“Ever since the day of the assault I have been suffering from seizures, these have impacted my relationships, my career and even completing basic tasks.

“I’m a certified rescue diver which makes me a proud first responder in this beautiful country.”

He told the court he is not able to continue diving.

“I have always enjoyed helping other people and now I am the one who needs to be cared for,” he said.

The prosecution told the court the victim suffered a bruised and bleeding brain, and had to undergo neurosurgery where a blood clot was removed from the brain and had to have metal plates and screws put in while he was in the intensive care unit.

Victim bumped into Rickard’s friend - prior to assault

Ms Butler who described the injuries as “catastrophic” said it wasn’t until a month later he could be medically discharged.

The horror injuries stemmed from the victim who was with a friend at an Airlie Beach kebab shop, bumping into Rickard’s friend by accident which caused him to drop his kebab, the crown said.

She told the court the groups engaged in confrontation with one person even telling Rickard, “It’s not worth it, don’t be f--king stupid”.

The victim and his friend walked up the road before Rickard followed him with his friends and ultimately punched the man in the head causing him to stumble backwards, Rickard kicked the man’s leg and punched him again where he lost consciousness and hit his head on the pavement, Ms Butler said.

The group ran away, and it was the victim’s friend who called an ambulance.

“(Rickard) was arrested later in the morning of the assault, he made admissions however he falsely sought to minimise his role by saying (the victim) tried to spit on him and put his hands up like he was trying to punch him,” Ms Butler said.

That account was not accepted by the prosecution’s office.

‘There are no winners’ - Defence

Defence barrister Claire Grant instructed by PD Law told His Honour from the outset, it was a “distressing case”.

“The consequences that have been suffered by the complainant are life-altering as will the outcome of the sentence be to the defendant,” she said.

“There are no winners.

“You must sentence an otherwise promising young man to a period of imprisonment.”

When Ms Grant said to the court she did not seek to justify her client’s engagement, Judge Nathan Jarro replied, “Good”.

However, she did say it was not a case where the victim was an “innocent bystander” and that others attempted to intervene between the victim and Rickard during their confrontation but it did not cease.

She said the man had “genuine remorse” which was exemplified through him self-referring to a mental health program to address anger management and alcohol-fuelled violence.

Ms Grant also said the man was offering compensation in the sum of $3500, which His Honour said was “no means satisfactory” as the victim valued his medical expenses to a total nearing $100,000.

Judge Jarro when sentencing the man acknowledged he had a black belt in Taekwon Do and said he should have known better.

“It was a grave error of judgement on your part,” His Honour said.

Rickard pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm.

He was sentenced to four years jail, to be suspended after serving 13 months for an operational period of five years, a conviction was recorded. He was also ordered to pay the victim compensation of $3500, and if not paid by February 28, 2025 the jail term will be extended by two months.

Originally published as Travis Allan Rickard jailed for horror, Airlie Beach kebab shop assault