Max Joseph Rourke in court for assault at Rockhampton River Festival

A young roofer attacked a security guard at a popular Central Queensland event after he saw his father being restrained.

Rockhampton River Festival.

A young roofer attacked a security guard at a popular Rockhampton event after he saw his father being restrained.

Max Joseph Rourke, 20, was at Rockhampton River Festival on Quay Street on July 29 about 8.15pm with his father, who had been restrained by a security guard following an altercation.

Police prosecutor Corey O’Connor told Rockhampton Magistrates Court Rourke had moved around the security guard and placed his arm around the man’s neck, placing him in a headlock.

Mr O’Connor said Rourke shouted, “That’s my dad you c — t, let him go”.

He said Rourke squeezed tightly around the man’s neck, making it difficult for him to breathe.

He said the man fell forward onto his knees to break himself from the headlock.

Rourke left the event and was spoken to later by police.

Mr O’Connor said Rourke had no criminal history.

Defence lawyer Jess King said her client ordinarily did not drink alcohol but had been at the event with his father and others and had been drinking since about 11am that day.

“He instructs he saw his dad being restrained and reacted,” she said.

“He accepts his alcohol consumption had entirely impaired his judgement.”

Ms King said her client her client worked as a roofer and grew up in the Logan area, moving to Central Queensland three years ago for work.

Rourke pleaded guilty on December 22 to common assault.

He was fined $800.

No criminal conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Max Joseph Rourke in court for assault at Rockhampton River Festival