Former Monsoons nightclub bouncer avoids jail for punching patron in the face

A former security guard at Monsoons nightclub who ‘overreacted’ by punching an unruly patron in the face will not see the inside of a jail cell, a court has heard.

A FORMER security guard at Monsoons nightclub who “overreacted” by punching an unruly patron in the face will not see the inside of a jail cell, a court has heard.

George Whakarua Edwards, 44, pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court to two counts of assault following the incident shortly before 4am on September 22.

The court heard the victim, referred to by the pseudonym ‘WP’, was socialising at the club with his girlfriend when the pair were escorted from the premises for unknown reasons.

As this was happening, an altercation broke out between the couple and Edwards and he and another bouncer restrained WP while a third bouncer restrained his girlfriend.

MORE NT COURT NEWS

Pink Panther busted in $1000 plus back-to-back sales without checking BDR

Defence pleads guilty four years after Darwin soldier’s shooting death in bungled training exercise

Assaults on police double in Palmo but it’s still not the most dangerous place to be a Territory cop

Once outside, Edwards pushed WP to the ground before WP got up and went to help his girlfriend, who was by this time having another altercation with one of the bouncers.

Justice Stephen Southwood said as WP stepped forward, Edwards again pushed him to the ground and he got up again and walked towards Edwards with his hands “down by his side”.

“Without warning the offender forcefully punched Mr P with a closed right fist,” he said.

“The punch connected with the left-hand side of Mr P’s face, causing him to stumble backwards approximately 3m and fall from the footpath onto the road.”

About five minutes later, another altercation broke out after WP’s girlfriend spat at one of the bouncers, he “retaliated” and WP shoved him “aggressively” in response.

Monsoons nightclub on Mitchell St. Picture: Keri Megelus

Justice Southwood said the two men began swinging punches at each other and “a small melee erupted” in which WP fell backwards, hitting his head on a concrete pot plant.

“At this point, the offender has run from inside Monsoons and using both hands, forcefully shoved Mr P around the neck and back of his head area forcing his head downwards towards the ground,” he said.

“The offender has then thrust his right knee into the back of Mr P before using his open right hand to forcefully slap Mr P twice to the side of the back of his head.

“The offender has then picked Mr P (up) by the shorts and dragged him onto the footpath.”

In handing Edwards an eight-month sentence, suspended immediately, Justice Southwood said it was unclear how much his actions had contributed to WP’s injuries.

“The offender was a crowd controller and no doubt had been trained to de-escalate such situations and to exercise restraint on all occasions,” he said.

“He failed to do so on these occasions and overreacted to the situation he was confronted with.”

Follow @jas_walls