Yeppoon man Zane Henry Richardson charged for pub assault self-defence

A man who was allegedly assaulted at a pub has been charged with public nuisance after defending himself.

Zane Henry Richardson, 32, made a bail application in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on January 10 after being charged with one count of public nuisance in the vicinity of a licensed premise.

A plumber allegedly assaulted at a pub has been charged by police for defending himself and smashing a window during the altercation.

Zane Henry Richardson, 32, made a bail application in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on January 10 after being charged with one count of public nuisance in the vicinity of a licensed premise.

Defence lawyer Grant Cagney told the court it was unlikely the charges, based on the alleged facts outlined in a police objection to bail affidavit, would be successful.

He said his client had been at a pub on the Capricorn Coast, sitting on a bar stool, when he first noticed his alleged attacker drive into a car park nearby.

Mr Cagney said CCTV showed Mr Richardson, who lives in Yeppoon, shrugging at this point.

“He says he is shrugging because he has seen his alleged attacker’s car pull up outside the pub and him get out of it and start walking towards my client,” Mr Cagney said.

He said Mr Richardson gestured to the alleged male attacker in such a way as to ask ‘why are you approaching me as I’m sitting down having a beer with friends?’

Mr Cagney said he alleged the man approached Mr Richardson to assault him, which he allegedly did.

“My client doesn’t throw a punch until he himself is struck and now has a right to defend himself,” he said.

“And he does and now he’s sitting in the watch house without his liberty.

“He’s charged with public nuisance for defending himself and smashing a window.

“He is actually the victim.”

Mr Cagney said Mr Richardson called police to report the assault and wasn’t warned before going to the station to give a statement that police viewed him as a suspect.

He said it was believed police were going to charge the alleged attacker.

“These charges have literally no chance of ultimate success,” Mr Cagney said.

Magistrate Grace Kahlert granted Mr Richardson bail and his matter was adjourned to February 7.

Originally published as Yeppoon man Zane Henry Richardson charged for pub assault self-defence