Drew Stephen Bowtell assaulted man outside Rockhampton nightclub

A failed drunken pick up has left a boiler maker with his head bowed in shame after he attacked a male trying to protect a woman outside a Central Queensland nightclub.

Drew Stephen Bowtell, 22, pleaded guilty on April 28 in Rockhampton District Court to one count of causing grievous bodily harm and one of obstructing police. He was sentenced to 2.5 years prison, wholly suspended with a three-year operational period and ordered to pay $7000 compensation to the victim.

A failed drunken pick up left a boiler maker with his head bowed in shame after he attacked a male trying to protect the targeted woman outside a Central Queensland nightclub.

Drew Stephen Bowtell, 22, left his victim with a fractured jaw and a partially erupted wisdom tooth which required surgery, Rockhampton District Court heard.

Crown prosecutor Melissa Wilson said the victim had been celebrating a birthday with friends at the Giddy Goat nightclub on May 21, 2022 and was waiting outside for a lift when the group was approached by Bowtell.

She said Bowtell tried to talk with the girls the victim was with and the victim asked him to leave.

Ms Wilson said the group turned and left, but the victim went back to Bowtell to ask him what he had said to the girls.

Bowtell punched the victim to the ground and continued the assault while the victim was on the ground, including kicking him in the head while wearing boots.

Ms Wilson said nearby police shouted at Bowtell to stop and Bowtell ran away, hiding behind a police car.

Defence barrister Jordan Ahlstrand said this was out of character for his qualified boilermaker client who was extremely intoxicated at the time.

Mr Ahlstrand said Bowtell’s male ego had been tarnished by his failed advances towards one of the women in the victim’s group.

The Bundaberg-born Tannum Sands high school graduate was supported in court by his employer and the employer’s family members.

Bowtell lives at Kabra with his employer, who deals with farm equipment and builds windmills.

Bowtell pleaded guilty on April 28 in Rockhampton District Court to one count of causing grievous bodily harm and one of obstruct police.

He was sentenced to 2.5 years prison, wholly suspended with a three-year operational period and ordered to pay $7000 compensation to the victim.

Originally published as Drew Stephen Bowtell assaulted man outside Rockhampton nightclub