A Darwin crowd controller will spend time behind bars after unlawfully hitting a US Marine

A Darwin bouncer has been sentenced after unlawfully delivering a blow ‘that could have resulted in death’ to a US Marine outside a popular CBD nightclub. Watch the video.

A Darwin bouncer and prominent sportsperson has been sentenced after unlawfully delivering a blow “that could have resulted in death” to a US Marine outside a popular CBD nightclub.

Hayden Summers, 34, will spend three months behind bars as part of a three-year and three month suspended sentence after hitting the marine outside Monsoons nightclub on April 11, 2021.

US Marine Glen Thomason was thrown out of the club by another of the venue’s bouncers before entering in a heated discussion with Summers.

CCTV footage shows Summers send his fellow crowd controller away from the area in an effort to de-escalate the situation.

Hayden Summers slaps Glen Thomason outside of Monsoons.

However, tensions remain high as Mr Thomason continues to push his case to be allowed back inside.

As the situation escalates Mr Thomason swipes his arm towards Summers, but does not make contact.

The security guard is then shown to retaliate with a blow that knocked the US Marine to the ground, causing significant injuries.

Mr Thomason was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital where he spent 19 days after his condition deteriorated in the emergency department.

He was found guilty of the unlawful assault by a Darwin Supreme Court jury on September 2.

Monsoons bouncer Hayden Summers outside the Darwin Supreme Court prior to being found guilty. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

In sentencing Summers, Justice Jenny Blokland said Mr Thomason “would likely have died” if he had not received immediate treatment.

“Fortunately, on this occasion, death was avoided through timely and high quality medical intervention, but the injury was still very serious,” Justice Blokland said.

“There was some minor apprehension on your part that he was going to start fighting, however you as a crowd controller have received training in de-escalation without resorting to unnecessary force.

“Mr Thomason was being a nuisance at the time, but he did not deserve such a hit.

“You appear genuinely shocked and sorry about the level of injury and although the slap was intentional, the type of injury was not.

“You were aware of his size, and an ordinary person in your circumstances would not take such a risk and do what you did.”

The 34-year-old who was born and raised in Darwin will also serve nine months home detention following his three-month jail term, backdated to September 12.

The rest of his sentence was suspended.

Summers’ defence lawyer Peter Maley. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

He has a wife and three children all aged under seven, and besides his work as a crowd controller, is regarded as a prominent sportsman in both rugby union and rugby league.

He had no prior convictions and was considered a key organiser for a major events company at times employing up to 100 people in the Dry Season.

“This sentence must be a warning to those who work in the crowd control industry,” Justice Blokland said.

“The community trusts you to keep the public safe, it must sometimes be a frustrating job given the behaviour of some people, especially when intoxicated.

“However, crowd controllers are specially trained and trusted to manage such situations, there must be a measure of general deterrence reflected in the penalty.”

Outside the court defence lawyer Peter Maley called it a “fair sentencing given all the circumstances”.