Jason Neil Beer sentenced for public nuisance, smoking on public transport

Passengers onboard a Greyhound bus were forced to intervene as a Murgon man’s drunken outburst became violent.

An intoxicated Murgon man was forcibly removed by fellow Greyhound passengers after he caused drunken chaos by smoking and assaulting the bus driver.

An intoxicated Murgon man was removed from a Greyhound bus in handcuffs after he was smoking onboard and assaulted the driver.

Jason Neil Beer, 55, pleaded guilty at Murgon Magistrates Court to one count each of creating a disturbance or nuisance and smoking on a public passenger vehicle.

Police prosecutor Lisa Manns said Beer committed the offences on May 26, 2023 at 7.15pm.

Beer had consumed three “double rum beverages” before boarding the bus at Roma Street Station bound for Toowoomba, the court was told.

“The defendant was travelling to Toowoomba with 27 other passengers when he began calling out to the driver and smoking a cigarette,” Sergeant Manns said.

She said the driver stopped the bus at Withcott and Beer was smoking a “rollie cigarette” and holding a soft drink container that “smelt of alcohol”.

The court was told Beer was asked to leave the bus, but he began verbally abusing the driver and was unsteady on his feet.

When Beer was asked to leave the bus he began verbally abusing the driver, stood up and was unsteady.

“He pushed the driver with two hands, which forced him to the wall of the bus,” Sergeant Manns said.

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“Fellow passengers restrained him, one passenger called triple-0 and the police urgently attended.

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“He was arrested, put in handcuffs and police discovered his bag contained several bottles of alcohol.”

Sergeant Manns said Beer’s blood alcohol reading was 0.232 - more than four times the legal limit.

Defence lawyer Sjaana Stephens said Beer was travelling to Toowoomba to visit his full time carer and wife in hospital.

“This offending arose from a period of great distress,” Ms Stephens said.

Ms Stephens said Beer was incredibly remorseful for his actions.

Magistrate Andrew Sinclair said while he appreciated Beer’s distress, his alcohol consumption made the lives of his fellow passengers very unpleasant and difficult.

“You’re very lucky the bus driver didn’t press charges,” Mr Sinclair said.

Beer was fined $500 and convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Jason Neil Beer sentenced for public nuisance, smoking on public transport