Martial arts coach Rory Wayne Urquhart kicks police officer in the jaw in drunken rampage

The man also spat all over the wall of a police cell “for some time” in what a magistrate described as disgusting and disrespectful. Here’s what happened.

Rory Wayne Urquhart.

A martial arts coach who kicked a police officer in the jaw during a drunken rampage also spat all over the wall of a police cell.

Rory Wayne Urquhart, 19, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court on April 7 to five charges.

Those charges were public nuisance, wilful damage, obstruct police, assault police and failing to surrender into custody.

The court heard the worst of Urquhart’s offending happened on December 26 last year.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Pete Rumford said about 6.30pm on that day, police were called to a disturbance in William Street, Yeppoon.

Snr Const Rumford said while police were speaking with Urquhart, he yelled and swore loudly.

Urquhart was warned multiple times by police not to swear.

Some of the things Urquhart said to police was: “You c---s can’t change any of that”; “I’ve f---ing hurt no-one”; “This is all f---ed” and “I can’t call you c---s”.

Rory Wayne Urquhart.

Snr Const Rumford said when Urquhart was arrested for a public nuisance offence, he was put in a police cell.

“He (Urquhart) was agitated, spat on the walls of the police station and in that cell,” Snr Const Rumford said.

“He continued to spit for some time on the door of that cell.”

Snr Const Rumford said while Urquhart was in the watch-house, he “backed up” in the cell and told police he refused to go.

Police then entered the cell and told Urquhart to put his hands behind his back.

Urquhart did not comply and was transitioned to the ground.

Snr Const Rumford said while one of the police officers entered the cell to assist with restraining Urquhart, Urquhart kicked him in the jaw.

“The (police officer) felt pain.”

The failing to surrender into custody offence related to Urquhart not appearing in court on January 13 where a warrant was issued.

The court heard Urquhart had a one-page criminal history.

Rory Wayne Urquhart.

Solicitor Joanne Madden tendered a number of references to the court on behalf of Urquhart.

Ms Madden said Urquhart worked two jobs - one as a barista and the other as a martial arts coach.

The solicitor said Urquhart had gone out with a number of friends on Boxing Day, he didn’t usually drink, and the group was mixing drinks.

Ms Madden said Urquhart had also on that day, found out some troubling news about his girlfriend.

Ms Madden added that Urquhart had expressed “real remorse” about these offences and he had sought professional help for his alcohol use.

Before handing down penalty, Magistrate Jason Schubert noted that Urquhart had, on his history, a public nuisance offence in April, 2021, that was committed in the vicinity of a licensed premises.

Mr Schubert told Urquhart that his behaviour on Boxing Day was “disrespectful and disgusting.”

“You are fortunate that there are minimal injuries to police - police don’t go to work to get kicked in the jaw by people who can’t handle their alcohol,” Mr Schubert said.

“And the spitting all over the wall of the cell - that’s the disgusting aspect of it.

“You should be embarrassed with yourself.”

Mr Schubert placed Urquhart on probation for six months with conditions.

He did not record a conviction.

Originally published as Martial arts coach Rory Wayne Urquhart kicks police officer in the jaw in drunken rampage