Brett Stephen Browne sentenced for bizarre behaviour at Hervey Bay’s Beach House Hotel

A man’s extensive drug history and bizarre behaviour at a Hervey Bay hotel has earned him a stern rebuke in court.

Brett Stephen Browne pleaded guilty to committing a public nuisance, failing to leave a licensed premises and possessing dangerous drugs when he faced Hervey Bay Magistrates Court.

Mocking staff at a Hervey Bay Hotel when a friend bought him a drink after he was cut off turned out to be a bad idea for one man.

Brett Stephen Browne pleaded guilty to committing public nuisance, failing to leave a licensed premises and possessing dangerous drugs when he faced Hervey Bay Magistrates Court.

The court heard Browne was at a function at the Beach House Hotel at Scarness on November 20 when he was refused service.

A friend bought him a beer and Browne “took a knee” and drank it front of a staff, the court was told.

He was told to leave the premises but repeatedly physically resisted, the court heard, struggling violently and attempting to headbutt a staff member.

Police were called and Browne was eventually subdued and pinned to the floor.

In a second incident, police patrolling the car park at Hervey Bay’s Night Owl outlet stopped Browne in his vehicle.

The car was searched and 19 grams of marijuana was discovered as well as a folding knife and a grinder.

Browne told the court he had been a “recreational user” of marijuana for half his life.

Magistrate Stephen Guttridge said he was concerned by Browne’s criminal history of drug offences.

“Why shouldn’t I send you to jail today?” he said.

Browne, representing himself, said he did have faults, but he was an “easygoing man”.

“I don’t go out very much,” he said.

Guttridge warned that while he had been punished with fines for drug offences in the past, Browne could face more serious consequences if he continued offending.

Browne was fined $1800.

Originally published as Brett Stephen Browne sentenced for bizarre behaviour at Hervey Bay’s Beach House Hotel