Joshua Paul Townsend faces Toowoomba Magistrates Court for breaching CBD banning order

The 24-year-old was banned from Toowoomba’s Safe Night Precinct but he was found trying to get into a nightclub.

A night out in Toowoomba turned out to be far more expensive that perhaps anticipated one for a 24-year-old man who was fined $400 for simply attending a nightclub.

Joshua Paul Townsend had been issued a one-month banning order on February 5 for failing to abide by a police move on direction, Toowoomba Magistrates Court was told on Monday.

Joshua Paul Townsend, 24, breached a one-month banning order.

The banning order prohibited Townsend from attending the Safe Night Precinct in Toowoomba’s CBD for a month until March 4.

However, about 10pm, February 18, police had been notified by a “scanning report” that Townsend was attempting to gain access to The Cube Hotel, police prosecutor Leea Trewin told the court.

Police officers attended the nightclub and arrested the 24-year-old, Sergeant Trewin said.

Townsend, who represented himself in court, pleaded guilty to one charge of contravening a banning order.

The 24-year-old was arrested when trying to get into The Cube Hotel.

Sergeant Trewin said Townsend had a lengthy history of receiving infringement notices but on this occasion he had told police he had simply forgotten about the banning notice.

Looking through his criminal history, magistrate Clare Kelly asked Townsend if he had an alcohol issue, which he denied, and said on this night he had simply gone downtown with a mate who was celebrating his birthday.

Asked if he was employed, Townsend said “yes, I build roads”.

Based on his previous history, Ms Kelly said the conviction would be recorded and fined Townsend $400.