Maryborough Correctional Centre officer Timothy Matthew Hicks pleads guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm

A Maryborough prison guard, arrested for drunkenly punching a man in the face at a Hervey Bay hotel, claims there was more to his actions.

Timothy Matthew Hicks, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of assault occasioning bodily harm when he faced Hervey Bay Magistrates Court.

A Maryborough prison guard who punched a man who wouldn’t play pool with him, causing damage to his teeth, was stressed at the time after a riot at the correctional centre, a court has heard.

Timothy Matthew Hicks, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of assault occasioning bodily harm when he faced Hervey Bay Magistrates Court.

The court heard the charge related to an incident at the Beach House Hotel in Scarness in May.

Hicks had been drinking heavily before going out that night.

According to defence lawyer Daniel Oulds, the two men had been having a conversation when the victim told Hicks he didn’t want to play pool with him.

The evening took an alarming turn when Hicks punched the man twice, first with his left fist and then with his right.

Police were called to the scene with a security guard verifying the victim’s version of events.

Police were later called to another job when Hicks was found at Positive Batteries on Torquay Rd, sleeping on the bitumen driveway.

On the night, he returned a blood alcohol reading of .273.

Mr Oulds said Hicks couldn’t remember much from the night.

Hicks had been married for 10 years and had three children.

He worked as a correctional officer at Maryborough prison, but was currently receiving Work Cover.

A week prior to the assault, there had been a riot at the centre and he’d had to deal with 14 to 18 prisoners who had been involved, the court was told.

Hicks addressed the court, saying he would probably lose his job if a conviction was recorded.

Mr Oulds said Hicks had been drinking heavily but was slowly cutting back.

“He needs to be slowly detoxed,” he said.

Hick was also seeing a psychiatrist to assist with his mental health issues.

He was ordered to pay $1000 in restitution to his victim.

Hicks was also fined $250.

No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Maryborough Correctional Centre officer Timothy Matthew Hicks pleads guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm