John Thorold: Carpenter in court for Bakers Lane meltdown

A Tasmanian carpenter with a history of grog-fuelled offending disgraced himself after being kicked out of a popular nightclub, his attempt to re-enter leading to a violent fracas with police.

Invermay carpenter John Charles Nicholas Thorold, 34. Picture: Facebook

A Tasmanian carpenter with a history of grog-fuelled offending disgraced himself after being kicked out of a popular nightclub, his attempt to re-enter leading to a violent fracas with police.

Invermay chippie John Charles Nicholas Thorold, 34, previously pleaded guilty in Launceston Magistrates Court to charges of assaulting and resisting a police officer, failing to give name and address, and attempting to return to licensed premises.

Launceston Magistrate Sharon Cure sentenced Thorold on Monday.

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Court documents show that Thorold’s offending occurred on May 27 this year, a Friday night.

Thorold attempted to re-enter York St nightclub Bakers Lane, having been earlier removed from the venue.

He failed to give his name and address when challenged by Tasmania Police officers and violently resisted arrest by “swinging (his) arms and legs and holding (his) hands together to prevent handcuffs being applied”.

During the course of his arrest, Thorold assaulted an officer by “kicking him to the chest and neck”.

Ms Cure said the offending was “quite serious”.

“The manner in which he conducted himself and assaulted police was very concerning and he has a history of it,” she said.

Ms Cure noted that a pre-sentence report commissioned by the court identified Thorold had an “alcohol problem”.

“But they don’t recommend any further treatment,” she said.

“There seems to be a history that arguably relates to... alcohol consumption. There is a tendency to not appreciate how serious that can be.

“They (the report’s author) say you don’t need intervention, but that’s something you may consider. It’s caused you quite a bit of a problem. This wouldn’t have happened but for alcohol.”

Balanced against this was the fact Thorold was “hardworking”. He trades as John Thorold Contracting.

Ms Cure fined Thorold $800, ordered he perform 49 hours’ community service, and imposed costs and levies of $111.40.