Marcus Thomas McCluskey: Miles man in court for refusing to leave pub, determined to fight woman

Staff were forced to close and lock the doors to keep out a drunk and uncontrollable man determined to force his way inside and continue his abusive outburst at another patron.

Queensland Hotel Miles, on the Western Downs. Picture: Google Maps

A Saturday night out at a busy Miles pub has gone terribly wrong, with staff forced to lock their doors in a failed attempt to keep an enraged man from fighting with a woman inside.

Marcus Thomas McCluskey was caught on CCTV pushing and arguing with a woman at the Queensland Hotel in Miles just before 11.30pm on July 17, and was told by staff to leave following the abusive outburst.

Chinchilla Magistrates Court heard the Miles man became irate at being kicked out, and was determined to get back inside to find the other woman and continue the dispute.

Police prosecutor sergeant Chris Hutchins said McCluskey tried to throw punches at pub goers outside the hotel, but all his fists caught was air.

Sergeant Hutchins said when the Miles man’s friends were unable to hold him back, staff were forced to close and lock the doors.

The court heard McCluskey was undeterred and soon found another way inside the pub, where another fight broke out between the parties forcing bystanders to separate the pair again.

Sergeant Hutchins noted the woman involved in the argument wasn’t quite innocent herself, and had also faced court for charges related to the incident.

Magistrate Kerri O’Callaghan asked McCluskey if he had anything to say to which he replied, “not really Your Honour, just that I’m sorry”.

Ms O’Callaghan noted alcohol contributed to the offending, but didn’t excuse the man’s conduct.

McCluskey pleaded guilty to failing to leave a licenced premises and public nuisance in the vicinity of licenced premises. He was fined $500.

No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Marcus Thomas McCluskey: Miles man in court for refusing to leave pub, determined to fight woman