Guy Coleman, Ashley Morgan plead guilty to assault at O’Malley’s Irish Bar at Mooloolaba

Two Brisbane mates have faced court for their involvement in a violent attack on a teenage security guard at a popular Sunshine Coast pub which left their victim unconscious.

Two Brisbane men have been sentenced for their “gratuitous” attack on a teenage security guard at a popular Mooloolaba pub.

Maroochydore District Court heard the victim was “simply performing his duties” when he was attacked by Guy Frazer Coleman and Ashley Michael Morgan, both 29, at O’Malley’s Irish Bar on November 5, 2022.

The pair, from Bracken Ridge and Everton Park, both pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm in company in court on Monday.

The court was told security guards were trying to remove a third man from the pub about 10.20pm when they became involved in a “low level confrontation” with Coleman and Morgan.

In videos shown to the court, the scuffle turned violent when the security guard tried to separate the pair from a colleague.

The court was told Morgan then punched the 19-year-old security guard twice in the face.

Coleman in the footage then struck the security guard out the blue with his fist which connected to his head.

Crown prosecutor Alex Stark said the victim, who stated in his impact statement Coleman’s punch was a “king hit”, fell to the ground unconscious.

Ashley Michael Morgan (left) and Guy Frazer Coleman (right) leaving Maroochydore District Court on Monday. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Mr Stark said the victim would’ve had no awareness or ability to defend himself from the sucker punch from Coleman, who was taller in size.

The court heard the victim suffered from headaches after the assault as well as a cut to his lip and pain to his cheek bone.

Defence barrister Paul Rutledge said Coleman had no excuse for the offending which was out of character for him.

Mr Rutledge said the Bracken Ridge man had no previous convictions, was remorseful and made steps to rehabilitate himself including stopping drinking.

The court heard Coleman also wanted to apologise to the victim in person.

Coleman struck the man in the face, rendering him unconscious. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Morgan was involved in the assault prior to Coleman’s attack. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Morgan’s defence barrister James Godbolt said his client also had genuine remorse for the drunken assault and “loutish” behaviour which were out of character.

Mr Godbolt clarified however it wasn’t the Everton Park man who delivered the blow which rendered the victim unconscious.

The court was told Morgan, who was born in Dandenong and worked in construction, was willing to pay restitution as well as Coleman.

Judge Bernard Porter KC said it would’ve been a “fairly traumatic experience” for the 19-year-old security guard, which would’ve “affected him greatly”.

The District Court judge said it appeared Coleman’s attack was a “far more serious blow” than his counterpart.

Coleman was sentenced to 12 months’ jail, suspended for three years while Morgan must perform 200 hours’ community service with no conviction recorded.

The Bracken Ridge man will pay $5000 restitution to the victim and Morgan will pay $2000.

Originally published as Guy Coleman, Ashley Morgan plead guilty to assault at O’Malley’s Irish Bar at Mooloolaba