Zachariah Lawrence Newman convicted of GBH for Central Hotel one-punch assault

A warehouse worker has been jailed for a “cowardly attack” at a Bundaberg nightclub toilets where he broke his love interest’s ex-boyfriend’s jaw.

Zachariah Lawrence Newman was found guilty of grievous bodily harm in the conclusion of a trial in Bundaberg District Court on Friday. The court heard Kassie Starr (right) formed a romantic relationship with Newman and his victim.

A love triangle reached an alcohol-fuelled breaking point at a popular Bundaberg nightclub leaving a bartender with a broken jaw.

Warehouse worker Zachariah Lawrence Newman, 21, was jailed after being found guilty of grievous bodily harm following a three-day trial at Bundaberg District Court.

The charge was in relation to a “cowardly attack” at the Central Hotel on bartender Kenneth Thompson, following tensions between the pair because of a mutual love interest.

The two men were not friends but known to each other through a shared romantic interest in a woman, Kassie Starr.

Ms Starr, 20, appeared as a witness during the trial and told the the jury she formed a romantic relationship with Newman that lasted from February through to November, 2021.

Kassie Starr formed a romantic relationship with Newman and Mr Thompson.

In December 2021, Ms Starr started a relationship with Mr Thompson, which Newman said he was “completely fine” with, the court was told.

Crown prosecutor Jodie Crane told the court Mr Thompson had moved in with Ms Starr soon after the start of their relationship.

The court heard Ms Starr and Newman maintained a friendship and would often send texts to each other.

Under questioning from Newman’s barrister, Wes Seewald, Ms Starr told the court that the fact she was still in contact with Newman bothered Mr Thompson.

Newman told the jury on Thursday that he first become aware of Mr Thompson’s relationship with Ms Starr when she contacted him to tell him that Mr Thompson had cheated on her “several times”.

Ms Starr and Newman both told the jury they had slept together once while she was in a relationship with Mr Thompson.

Ms Starr said she told Mr Thompson the day after it happened and while it “hurt” him, she denied he was angry.

Newman told the court he wasn’t aware that Ms Starr was still in a relationship with Mr Thompson at the time he slept with her.

Newman told the court he wasn’t aware Ms Starr was still in a relationship with Mr Thompson at the time.

Ms Starr said her relationship with Mr Thompson ended shortly after, roughly one month before the two men saw each other at the nightclub.

CCTV footage played in court showed Mr Thompson entering the toilets of the hotel on April 17, 2022, around 1.52am, and Newman entering shortly afterwards.

Newman claimed he punched Mr Thompson after he approached him in an intimidating manner.

He said Mr Thompson pushed him against the wall and punched him twice in the stomach, but there were no witnesses.

Other witnesses called by the prosecution said they were in the toilets when Newman entered, and heard him threaten to punch Mr Thompson.

The incident under trial occurred in the toilets of Bundaberg’s Central Hotel.

While none of the witnesses saw Newman punch Mr Thompson, they heard Newman say “I’m not going to hit you” before they heard a cracking noise and saw Newman walking out of the toilets with Mr Thompson lying on the ground.

Medical records showed Mr Thompson presented to Bundaberg Hospital later that day, where a CT scan showed he had sustained a fractured jaw.

He was referred to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital for surgery three days later, where he had wires and screws inserted to stabilise his jaw.

While under cross examination by Ms Crane, Newman said he was kicked out following the incident and banned from the nightclub.

Judge Brad Farr SC sentenced Newman to 12 months in prison with a suspended sentence of three years.

After deliberating for two hours on Friday, July 14, the jury rejected the claim that Newman had struck Mr Thompson in self defence and found him guilty.

The defence told the court Newman was remorseful for his actions, and should receive leniency due to his youth and this being his first time before the court.

In sentencing, Judge Brad Farr told Newman that he had shown “no indication whatsoever” of being remorseful.

“This was a cowardly attack,” Judge Farr said.

“I accept that there has been some history of animosity between the two of you, but you took that well beyond two people just arguing about whatever things you were arguing about regarding that young woman prior to that point in time.

“Everyone in the community is well aware ... one punch can have catastrophic consequences for people.”

Newman was sentenced to serve 12 months in prison with a suspended sentence of three years hanging over his head after his release.

Originally published as Zachariah Lawrence Newman convicted of GBH for Central Hotel one-punch assault