Warry John Stanley pleads guilty to serious assault on a person over 60

Emotions ran high in a Queensland courtroom when a former talented sportsman from a well-known South Burnett family faced his fate after brutally attacking a 61-year-old man.

Warry John Stanley and his supporters leaving Murgon Magistrates Court.

Emotions ran high in a courtroom on Wednesday when a man from a prominent South Burnett family narrowly avoided jail after he brutally assaulted a 61-year-old man.

Warry John Stanley, 50, pleaded guilty to a serious assault on a person over 60 at Murgon Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

The court also heard he had pleaded guilty on a previous hearing to common assault, which he was sentenced for during Wednesday’s hearing.

Police prosecutor Barry Stevens said on November 28, 2022, about 4.30pm, a 61-year-old man was sitting alone in a Murgon park before Stanley approached the victim “and asked him for cigarettes”.

Sergeant Stevens said police reviewed CCTV footage that showed Stanley, a father and grandfather, sit beside the man for about 40 seconds before standing up again.

“He then was seen to stand up and punched the victim to the face with his right hand,” Sgt Stevens said.

“He then kicked him in the chest with his right foot.”

The court was told the victim stood up before Stanley threw an object at him, pushed the victim’s head and “grabbed him by his hair” before throwing him to the ground.

“He then punched the victim four times to the head and then kicked him in the torso and in the head,” Sgt Stevens said.

“The defendant then lifted the victim onto his knees, again by his hair, and punched the victim in the head with his right hand.

“He then kicked the victim again in the torso,” he said.

The court heard “multiple” bystanders intervened and separated the pair.

Sgt Stevens said once police arrived they saw blood around the mouth and nose of the victim.

“They could also see what appeared to be a boot print on his forehead,” he said.

Warry John Stanley and his supporters leaving Murgon Magistrates Court.

The court heard Stanley had a lengthy criminal history including assaults beginning in 1991.

He also committed the assault on the 61-year-old man only 21 days after receiving a suspended sentence for another crime.

Stanley’s lawyer, Mark Oliver, made a passionate plea to the magistrate asking him to not send Stanley to jail.

Mr Oliver said Stanley had “struck hard times” and was not able to cope.

“He suffered a number of deaths in his family … he’s still carrying deep trauma,” he said.

Mr Oliver said Stanley had participated in drug and alcohol rehabilitation and anger management courses.

He said he had quit drinking, relocated, secured a stable job in the meat industry and was in a relationship with a child safety officer.

Warry John Stanley and his supporters leaving Murgon Magistrates Court.

Mr Oliver said the Stanley family were an “extremely well-respected family”.

“His brother was in the Commonwealth Games,” Mr Oliver said.

“Warry was an accomplished cricketer and rugby league player.”

“I’m seeking that you do not imprison him, that you do not send him to jail … he was so ashamed, I can’t begin to tell you the shame that he’s suffered from this.

“My client has changed for the better … he is a good person.”

Lawyer Mark Oliver leaving Murgon Magistrates Court.

Magistrate Andrew Sinclair said imprisonment was “not a last resort” for violent offending.

“This sort of conduct cries out for periods of imprisonment,” Mr Sinclair said.

However, he accepted Stanley had shown improvement during his most recent probation.

“You’ve used that year to effectively rehabilitate yourself,” Mr Sinclair said.

“You very sensibly got yourself out of Cherbourg and out of trouble.”

Warry John Stanley and his supporters at Murgon Magistrates Court.

Mr Sinclair sentenced Stanley to 12 months imprisonment to be released immediately on parole and was ordered to pay $1500 to the victim. Convictions were recorded.

As Mr Sinclair announced Stanley wouldn’t be going to jail, some of his supporters were visibly emotional, wiping away tears and hugging each other.

Originally published as Warry John Stanley pleads guilty to serious assault on a person over 60