Tully Barritt punches Yeppoon’s Strand Hotel security guard in face

A man who punched a Yeppoon hotel security guard in the face then turned on police officers, calling them “c---s and f---heads” and making comments about “bashing the f--- out of them.”

The Strand Hotel, Yeppoon.

A night of drunken madness cost a talented rugby league player his spot with the Central Queensland Capras but his punishment did not end there.

Tully Jon Barritt, 20, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court on March 2 to failing to leave a licensed premises, assault in public while intoxicated, obstructing police and public nuisance in the vicinity of a licensed premises.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Kevin Ongheen said that between 10pm and 10.30pm on January 28, Barritt was asked to leave The Strand Hotel, Yeppoon.

Sgt Ongheen said security staff removed Barritt from the venue three times due to his level of intoxication.

“During that time, (Barritt) continued to return to the hotel by various means including jumping the fence,” Sgt Ongheen said.

The prosecutor said that about 10.37pm, a security guard found Barritt inside the venue and told him he was not welcome there and asked him to leave.

Sgt Ongheen said Barritt refused to comply and became hostile and aggressive towards the security guard.

Sgt Ongheen said the security guard attempted to escort Barritt from the hotel.

“(Barritt), using both hands, threw a series of three or four punches at the (security guard).”

Sgt Ongheen said Barritt struck the security guard twice in the face, and he was physically restrained and escorted from the premises.

The prosecutor said when police arrived, Barritt was sitting outside the hotel and he was “heavily intoxicated”.

Sgt Ongheen said police spoke to Barritt, told him he was under arrest and asked him to stand.

Sgt Ongheen said Barritt replied to police, words to the effect of “F--- you” and he refused to co-operate.

Police attempted to physically escort Barritt from the venue but he resisted and continued to do so, the court heard.

Sgt Ongheen said Barritt had to be transitioned to the ground and handcuffed.

“Whilst on the ground physically restrained, he (Barritt) continued a verbal tirade of offensive language.

“(Barritt) stated words to the effect of: ‘you c---s are a f---ing joke, honestly, you’re a f---ing joke’.”

The court heard Barritt called the police officers “f---heads” and made comments about “bashing the f--- out of you two.”

The prosecution made a banning order submission.

Solicitor Dominic Jorgensen tendered references to the court for Barritt and said the 20-year-old was an apprentice carpenter.

Mr Jorgensen said Barritt was heavily intoxicated on the night of his offending and was embarrassed about his conduct.

Mr Jorgensen said as a result of being charged, Barritt had been dropped from the Capras rugby league team - he was in the club’ Hastings Deering Colts side.

Magistrate Cameron Press said incidents like this were “all too common in society” and he hoped Barritt had learned a valuable lesson.

Mr Press fined Barritt $1642 and ordered he perform 115 hours of unpaid community service.

No convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Tully Barritt punches Yeppoon’s Strand Hotel security guard in face