Zain Alec Christian sentenced in Townsville Magistrate Court for drunken outburst on Flinders Street

A boilermaker who smashed a glass over someone’s head during a drunken bar fight has been sentenced in court after intentionally banging his head against a police van and kicking an officer.

Zain Christian said he "couldn't be bothered" driving back to a service station to pay $20 in fuel.

A FIFO worker began his night on Flinders street but ended it in a padded call after smashing a bottle over someone’s head during a bar fight and kicking a police officer.

Zain Alec Christian appeared in Townsville Magistrate Court on Wednesday after he intentionally banged his head on a police can and made an officer fall over by lunging at him.

Police prosecutor John Moran said while drinking into the early hours of the morning at Flynn’s Irish Bar, CCTV captured the moment a violent brawl broke out.

“(Christian) approached two males in the venue and they did exchange words and one of the males punched (him) in the face,” he said.

A fight broke out and one of Christian’s friends restrained one of the men while Christian smashed a bottle over his head.

When the police found the 29-year-old they tried to issue him an infringement notice and a banning notice from Flinders street but failed after he persistently yelled “f – k you” aggressively at officers.

Mr Moran said the interaction escalates however and the boilermaker is thrown into the back of a police can where he intentionally bangs his head against the wall before he’s put in handcuffs.

Outside Flynns Irish Bar on Flinders Street in Townsville.

“During his escort to the police vehicle, he resisted and kicked out …(causing) a minor injury to the officer’s thumb,” he said.

Christian was then transported to the Townsville watch house and during a procedural weapons search he lunged at a police officer which made him fall over.

“He was taken to the ground by police …(and) put in a padded cell,” Mr Moran said.

Defence Lawyer, Tracy Brown from Resolute Legal, said Christian didn’t start the pushing or shoving which started the fight and was the “victim at the outset”.

“Nothing good happens on Flinders street in the early hours of the morning,” Ms Brown said.

She said he had been struggling with his mental health after his relationship broke down and there were ongoing custody issues with his eight-year-old son which had led to the aggressive drunken behaviour.

“In circumstances where they’re not in the mindset and there is alcohol involved, decisions are made that are certainly not favourable to them at the time,” she said.

Magistrate Kerri Fredericks reprimanded the man for his violent behaviour.

“These officers are simply trying to do their duty and you have obstructed the police officer’s in the way that you did, kicking out, being verbally abusive and yelling those obscenities” she said.

Christian pleaded guilty to public nuisance, wilfully obstructing and assaulting a police officer.

He was sentenced to four months jail, wholly suspended for 12 months.

He was also ordered to complete 80 hours of community service within 12 months.

Originally published as Zain Alec Christian sentenced in Townsville Magistrate Court for drunken outburst on Flinders Street