A MOUNT Gambier man has received a suspended sentence after being involved in a violent altercation with staff at a local hotel.
Dali Buckingham-Lee, 25, appeared in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court on Tuesday to be sentenced for damaging property and affray.
The prosecution said the incident occurred on the evening of April 4 at the South Eastern Hotel where the defendant was drinking with a friend.
Buckingham-Lee’s bank card declined when he attempted to purchase drinks.
A female staff member refused to allow the defendant and his friend to take the beers before payment was made.
She took the beers and placed them back on her side of the counter.
Buckingham-Lee and his friend became agitated and started swearing and yelling at the staff member.
The staff member told the men to leave and threatened to call the police.
This sparked the pair to accuse the woman of being “unprofessional”.
Shortly thereafter, Buckingham-Lee started aggressively leaning over the bar and “jiggled” the beer taps, damaging them in the process.
Buckingham-Lee’s friend started throwing objects at the bar staff.
Eventually one of the objects hit the female staff member in the head, knocking her unconscious.
At this point, Buckingham-Lee’s attitude changed and he attempted to remove his friend who was still throwing objects including a stool.
Security cameras inside the hotel captured the whole incident.
Magistrate Teresa Anderson said anyone in the pub at that point in time may have been highly distressed by the pair’s behaviour.
“Affrays are extremely frightening for the people that are caught up in it,” Magistrate Anderson said.
“This sort of unruly behaviour will be met firmly by the court.”
The prosecution indicated the other man involved in the affray had not yet been charged as police continued to try and locate him.
“I accept his role in this incident was greater than your role and the sentence will reflect that,” Magistrate Anderson said.
Details from the female staff member’s victim impact statement were read to the court, which revealed she was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder and depression.
“She has been left fearful – her life has been changed by the affray that occurred that night,” Magistrate Anderson said.
Magistrate Anderson sentenced the defendant to six months and nine days imprisonment, however elected to suspend the sentence.
“Although your behaviour was appalling that night, it was short and you desisted from behaving violently very quickly,” Magistrate Anderson said.
The sentence was suspended on Buckingham-Lee entering a $500, two-year good behaviour bond, requiring him to be supervised for 12 months.
Visibly relieved he would not be going to prison, Buckingham-Lee had a message for the court.
“I just want to say thank you,” he said.
