William Johnson in Gladstone court after Harvey Road Tavern incident
Details of a dramatic arrest where police chased a man into bushland after an NRL trial game at Gladstone, have been heard in court.
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A man who was chased into bushland by police and arrested after an NRL trial game at Gladstone has faced court.
William Mervyn Johnson, 26, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court on May 2 to public nuisance and obstructing police, both in the vicinity of a licensed premises.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Tanya Griffiths said at 8pm on February 4, police officers were on patrol at the Harvey Road Tavern after an NRL trial game at the location.
Sgt Griffiths said the football game led to a significant increase in people at the licensed premises and hotel management contacted police and asked for help to move on two patrons, one being Johnson, from a gaming area.
Sgt Griffiths said when police spoke to Johnson in the foyer of the venue, he was agitated and aggressive, and he believed that someone had stolen $30 from the gaming machine he was playing.
The prosecutor said Johnson was warned several times about his aggressive behaviour.
Sgt Griffiths said when Johnson exited at the front of the hotel, several patrons were waiting for a taxi and Johnson “continued to tell everyone to f--- off and acted aggressively”.
The court heard Johnson was again told to move on and warned by police that if he continued with his behaviour, he would be arrested.
Sgt Griffiths said Johnson started to walk away but then turned to face police and the patrons waiting for a taxi and he said: “Have a good one you c--ksuckers.”
The court was told that police then moved to arrest Johnson and he and another man ran from officers.
Sgt Griffiths said police chased Johnson across the carpark, across a road and into nearby bushland.
“(Johnson) was eventually found hiding in the long grass and subsequently arrested,” Sgt Griffiths said.
The court heard Johnson had a criminal history which included a previous public nuisance offence and also an assault police offence.
Solicitor Bianca Wieland said Johnson was currently doing a traineeship and on the night of the incident, he was intoxicated and “just being stupid.”
Acting Magistrate Mary Buchanan noted Johnson had a “solid employment history” before fining him $1200.
No conviction was recorded.
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Originally published as William Johnson in Gladstone court after Harvey Road Tavern incident
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