Beckham Lee pleads guilty to obstructing police, contravening banning notice at Airlie Beach

A Sunshine Coast man is paying the price after his actions towards police in a tropical paradise nightspot ended in the drunk tank.

Beckham Joseph Lee faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Tuesday. Picture: Patrick Woods.

A real estate industry worker has been ordered to perform community service after abusing officers during his arrest in a tropical holiday destination.

Beckham Joseph Lee was told to reflect on his “silly drunken behaviour” following the alcohol charged incident at Airlie Beach on April 6.

Maroochydore Magistrates Court was told on Tuesday of the 23-year-old’s drunken antics after his pleas of guilty to contravening a police banning notice and obstructing police while adversely affected.

Prosecutor Michael Quirk said officers were called to the Whitsunday safe night precinct after midnight to reports a man had tried to enter a venue when he was identified as a banned individual from area.

Mr Quirk said as officers arrived at the main street of Airlie Beach, police checks revealed the Peregian Springs man was banned from the area the day prior.

When Lee was arrested, he resisted and pulled his arms from police.

The 23-year-old was taken to a police vehicle where he told officers “you c---s can’t do nothing”. He was warned by police to watch his language to which he replied “what the f--k are you gonna (sic) do”.

He pleaded guilty. Picture: Patrick Woods

After a review of body worn camera footage, police established Lee was intoxicated and unsteady on his feet.

He was taken back to the Whitsunday watch-house and later charged.

In court on Tuesday, duty solicitor Ben Rynderman said Lee, who runs his own real estate business which sells appraisals to dozens of clients nationally, was a young, contributing member of the community, and pushed for no conviction due to the lack of criminal history and his work.

Mr Rynderman said Lee had already been handed a $967 fine for public nuisance at the time and was adequately punished for a “stupid drunken mistake”.

Magistrate Raelene Ellis agreed he was still young, however pointed to another public nuisance fine Lee received in October last year, again for $967.

Ms Ellis said he has already received almost $2000 in fines for “silly drunken behaviour” and wanted him to reflect on that.

She ordered him to perform 40 hours’ of unpaid community service but did not record a conviction.

Originally published as Beckham Lee pleads guilty to obstructing police, contravening banning notice at Airlie Beach