Michael Stuart Moles sentenced for public nuisance offence in Mooloolaba

A drunk 50-year-old was armed with a kebab when he threatened to kill pedestrians on the same day he was sentenced for unrelated matters.

A drunk 50-year-old had just been sentenced for other crimes when he armed himself with a kebab and threatened to kill pedestrians on a popular Sunshine Coast esplanade, a court has heard.

Michael Stuart Moles was fined $800 in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Friday after he pleaded guilty to a public nuisance offence on Mooloolaba esplanade on October 18.

Police prosecutor Lee Allen said witnesses saw Moles abusing and swearing at staff while waiting outside Phoenix Kebabs in Mooloolaba at 11:40pm.

“(Moles) … who was heavily intoxicated … has threatened to jump the counter and bash one of the staff members at the kebab shop,” he said.

Senior Constable Allen said once Moles was given his kebab he followed two couples towards Venning Street

“He was abusing them, telling them ‘I‘ll f--king kill you,” he said.

After being waved down by concerned members of the public police noticed Moles to be extremely intoxicated.

Witnesses told police his mood fluctuated from calm to highly agitated and aggressive as he abused three staff at the kebab shop and members of the community.

Michael Stuart Moles was fined $800 in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Friday after he pleaded guilty to a public nuisance offence on Mooloolaba esplanade on October 18. Picture: Laura Pettigrew

Constable Allen said Moles became confrontational and uncooperative with police and puffed his chest out as he stepped towards officers.

Moles also threw his kebab on the ground before being arrested.

The court heard Moles had separate matters finalised on the same day of the offence.

“The stress of court appearance obviously got to Mr Moles … he was letting off steam,” solicitor Chelsea Emery said.

Ms Emery said he didn’t have much memory of the offending and was shocked by his threats.

“He understands he could have been charged with far more because of his conduct and he understands it could have got a lot worse …,” she said.

She said he recognised the impact it would have had on the people he abused.

Ms Emery said a doctor had confirmed Moles suffered a brain injury and lived with major cognitive disorders.

She said he also had an alcohol dependence and was receiving assistance from the NDIS.

Magistrate Rod Madsen said Moles needed to try harder if he wanted to stay out of jail.

“ … If you do something like this again with your history you’ll end up in custody,” he said.

Mr Madsen noted Moles had to go through the process of being arrested and taken to the watch house before he fined him.

A conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Michael Stuart Moles sentenced for public nuisance offence in Mooloolaba