Matt Strang in Maroochydore court for behaviour at Blackwater Country Club

A father-of-three’s offending has been described as an “appalling” and “disgraceful” evening of alcohol-fuelled violence. Find out how his night unfolded.

A father-of-three and crane operator was drunk when he urinated on the floor of a country club before picking fights with patrons and later coward punching a man.

Matt William James Strang, 31, was fined $2000 and given nine months prison to be released immediately on parole in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on October 4, 2022.

Police prosecutor David Bradley said Strang was drinking at the Blackwater Country Club at 4pm on May 21, 2022, when he was seen on CCTV footage striking a patron once in the head.

Staff asked him to leave but he continued drinking there until 6.15pm when police arrived.

The court was told Strang also urinated on the floor of the country club.

Senior Sergeant Bradley said Strang abused police and called them “f--king dogs” and refused to leave.

Police took him back to his accommodation but at 7.22pm they were called back to the club and were directed to the smoking area.

There they found Strang being held down by one of the men that had been drinking there earlier in the night and he was screaming for them to get off him.

“When police spoke to the defendant he stated he knew he wasn’t supposed to be back at the premises but his mates had driven him back,” Senior Sergeant Bradley said.

Matt Strang leaves Maroochydore Magistrates Court.

CCTV footage showed Strang drove himself back and tried to start fights with other patrons.

Senior Sergeant Bradley said the 31-year-old was processed through the station and 40 minutes later went to a man’s house and king hit him.

“The victim stated while he was outside the front door he could hear a disturbance and smashing sounds coming from within his house,” he told the court.

“The victim stated he opened the door and the defendant has approached him and king hit him in the head.”

The force of the punch caused him to stumble backwards and caused a cut to his forehead.

Defence barrister Dan Murphy said his client worked as a FIFO crane operator and rigger.

Mr Murphy said Strang was remorseful for his actions and spent three days in custody for the offending.

“He accepts that he’s got a significant problem with alcohol,” Mr Murphy said.

Magistrate Chris Callaghan said Strang’s behaviour was “appalling” and reminded him that one punch can kill.

Mr Callaghan ordered he pay $1000 in compensation to the victim that was king hit.

Convictions were recorded for the offences that Strang pleaded guilty to including assault occasioning bodily harm, two counts of public nuisance, failing to leave a licenced premises, urinating in a public place and resisting authority.

Originally published as Matt Strang in Maroochydore court for behaviour at Blackwater Country Club