Josh William Batzloff sentenced for assaulting police near Drunken Dumpling, Ocean Street

A 21-year-old man’s boozy night has hit his back pocket after he kicked a policeman in the face and yelled at cops outside a popular Sunshine Coast club. READ WHAT HE SAID:

A 21-year-old man landed in hot water when he kicked a police officer in the face during a boozy session on a popular Sunshine Coast nightclub strip.

Josh William Batzloff was fined $1400 in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Friday after he pleaded guilty to three offences including assaulting a police officer on February 13, 2022.

Police prosecutor Mark Burrell told the court police had arrested Batzloff for causing a public nuisance after he was seen involved in a confrontation between two groups of males between the Drunken Dumpling and Zyped, Ocean Street.

Senior Constable Mark Burrell said police had to use force to put handcuffs on Batzloff who resisted arrest.

He said Batzloff was saying he hadn’t done anything wrong while leaning back against police.

“The defendant screamed a loud noise into effect of ‘f--k me in the a--e’ while being placed against the police vehicle,” he said.

Constable Burrell said the 21-year-old was being placed in a holding cell inside a police van when he lashed out at an officer.

“As he was being pushed into the cell he has kicked up and back in a forced kicking motion,” he said.

The kick struck a male officer in the face and caused him to stumble backwards with immediate pain.

Constable Burrell said while the officer did not suffer any lasting injuries the offence had the potential to cause serious harm.

Josh William Batzloff was fined $1400 in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Friday after he pleaded guilty to three offences including assaulting a police officer on February 13, 2022. Picture: Social media

He asked for a significant fine to be imposed and asked for $250 in compensation to be paid to the officer.

Solicitor Gabe Hutchinson said the third-year apprentice described his night out with friends as having escalated to an unacceptable level.

Mr Hutchinson said Batzloff had drunk too much alcohol and was genuinely remorseful for his actions.

“His pleas of guilty and offer of compensation demonstrate his genuine remorse,” he said.

He asked Acting Magistrate John Milburn not to record a conviction.

The court heard the Buderim local, who had no criminal history, was originally charged with the serious assault of an officer.

After negotiations the charged was dropped.

Mr Milburn noted Batzloff had entered an early plea of guilty and was described by references as having a strong work ethic.

He said the apprentice was clearly drunk and the offending was “out of character”.

He fined Batzloff $1400 and ordered him to pay $250 in compensation.

No convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Josh William Batzloff sentenced for assaulting police near Drunken Dumpling, Ocean Street